An act described as “High School Musical meets Pink” has been selected as Ireland's entry in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
The song Et Ceteraperformed by Sinead Mulvey and Limerick girl band Black Daisy won tonight's Late Late Show Eurosong TV special.
The pop rock tune, composed by Niall Mooney, Jonas Gladnikoff, Daniele Moretti and Christina Schilling, was chosen through a combination of regional jury voting and a public televote from a shortlist of a six acts.
The six finalists performed on RTÉ1 last night before an X-factor-style panel, composed of controversial US talk show host Jerry Springer, former Eurovision winner Linda Martin and RTÉ broadcaster Marty Whelan.
The return of jury voting reflects the change to voting format at the finals in Moscow in May, when national juries will once again have a say in the outcome.
The move follows widespread criticism that the televoting format was leading to so-called eastern European "bloc voting".
Mulvey and Black Daisy will perform Et Ceterain the second Eurovision semi-final in Moscow on Thursday, May 14th. The 54th final takes place the following Saturday, May 16th.
Last year Dustin the Turkey's Irelande Douze Pointeflopped at the semi-final stage, finishing was the 12th of 19 acts.