Glór Tíre journey comes to an end for Offaly contestants

Despite some fine televised performances in recent weeks, two singers with Offaly connections have exited this year's Glór Tíre country music talent competition on TG4.

The contestants in the current series included two stalwarts of Banagher's Trinity Gospel Choir, Colin Kenny and Deirdre Keane.

Colin and Deirdre are both well-known in Banagher and right across West Offaly, while two other well-known Offaly singers and musicians, Olivia Douglas from Ferbane and Ciaran Rosney from Ballycumber, were mentors on this show this year.

Glór Tíre has been continuing on a weekly basis since early January, but the field has now narrowed to the last three contestants who will be battling it out in the final next Tuesday.

Colin Kenny, known as 'the singing barber', bowed out during this week's semi-final, while Deirdre Keane was eliminated a week earlier.

Ballinasloe's Rachel Goode has made it through to the final, where she will be competing with Aishling Rafferty from Tipperary and Kenny Crawford from Donegal.

The prize for winning the competition is €5,000 in cash, along with the chance to accompany Mike Denver and friends to Portugal for a week of musical performances later in the year.

The final will be broadcast on TG4 at 9.30pm on Tuesday next, February 22.