Michael Kealy has admitted that Ireland successfully qualifying for this year’s Eurovision Grand Final would “make my life easier”. 

Ireland’s Head of Delegation is on the receiving end of annual criticism from some Irish Eurovision fans when the country doesn’t qualify for the Grand Final. 

Click to read this story at a glance…

• Ireland’s Head of Delegation, Michael Kealy, acknowledges that a successful qualification this year would alleviate some of the pressure on his shoulders
• Kealy says the focus remains on the artist, Bambie Thug, and their unique performance of Doomsday Blue
• Kealy expresses optimism in the heightened interest in their act this year, indicating a shift from their usual outsider status

This year, Ireland is widely considered to be a safe qualifier thanks to Bambie Thug’s creative and unique performance of Doomsday Blue. 

Speaking exclusively to The Euro Trip, Kealy said: “Fans do give out to me when we don’t qualify. 

“I don’t care that they have me as a whipping boy for any of our poor results. 

“I’d sooner they take it out on me than anybody who steps up to have a go. It takes a lot to walk out on this big stage.

“It will make my life easier if we do qualify – I’m not going to get some of the abuse I would normally get after a Semi Final.” 

Ireland’s participation in Eurovision has been under Kealy’s stewardship on-and-off for 15 years, and the country’s record has been below par during that time. 

Ryan Dolan in 2013 and Ryan O’Shaughnessy in 2018 are the only two times Ireland has qualified for the Grand Final in the last 10 editions. 

Despite seeing the natural benefit for himself should Bambie Thug buck the trend of consecutive Ireland non-qualifications to the Grand Final, Kealy did concede that “it’s about the artist, it’s not about me”. 

On the eve of Ireland’s performance in the first Semi Final, Kealy remains positive about the country’s chances. 

“We’re number seven in the odds to win, and we look like we’re a comfortable qualifier. I don’t want to jinx us, but that is an unusual experience because normally we are outsiders. 

“To have this level of interest in our act is unusual for us, but it’s brilliant. 

“I can’t stress how much that has given everybody a lot of confidence going into this. 

“That helps the performance on stage, and hopefully the bookies will be right and we’ll be in the Grand Final on Saturday.”