Bookies tip Mayo Rose to bloom in Tralee
The odds were tightening today as punters made last-minute bets on who is going to wow the judges to be crowned this year’s Rose of Tralee.
As the 30 Roses fulfilled their hectic engagements in the Co Kerry town, the stakes were growing on who would win the 47th Rose of Tralee.
Mayo Rose Aoibhinn O’Sullivan has been emerging as a clear favourite at odds of 4-1 to claim the crown. However, the 22-year-old Rose, who is a Theoretical Physics graduate, has some stiff competition.
The odds on Perth Rose, Fiona Stokes, have tightened to 5-1, while Boylesports is offering 8-1 on Blathnaid O’Donoghue from Clare to wow the judges.
A spokesman for the bookmakers chain said the odds were certain to change after people were given their first glimpse of the Roses in the Festival Dome in Tralee.
Ted Keane, one of the Rose of Tralee organisers, said the 47th festival has proved to be the biggest ever.
“People say the crowd in Tralee on Saturday night for the opening parade was the largest in 10 years,” he said.
Organiser have spent €355,000 from the budget of €820,000 on the entertainment programme, including on-street events and music.
“Our spending has made it clear our target market is the family. My own observation is that we are attracting families,” he said.
The Roses have travelled from Australia, New Zealand, America, Dubai, and the UK for the competition, while Irish Roses also had to compete in regional competitions to enter the long-running event.
The first batch of Roses will vie to attract the judges attention tonight as they enter the festival Dome to be interviewed by presenter Ray D’Arcy in front of a live television audience.
D’Arcy, who is taking over the role from Ryan Tubridy, will interview the girls tonight and tomorrow night before the judges make their final selections.
