This article is from page 3 of the 2006-12-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
CHRISTMAS may not be until next week but Santa came early to Ennis Your A Star contestant, Susan O’Neill.
Singer Susan romped through to the final of the competition when she scooped 27 per cent of the vote on Sunday night.
“I was just shocked – I couldn’t believe it,” a delighted Susan told The Clare People .
Susan’s qualification for the final in the Helix in Dublin on January 14 is a step closer to her dream of winning the coveted recording contract which could launch her on a career in music.
She is one of just two female contestants to qualify and both of them are from Clare. Ardnacusha’s Maeve O’Donovan – daughter of Irish rugby team coach, Niall O’Donovan – has also qualified for the final 12.
Rice College student Susan said that she was “completely shocked when I realised I was going through. The standard was so high”.
She added that the support of family, neighbours, friends and Clare people generally was very much appreciated.
“From the moment I came off stage, my phone was ringing the whole time. I really want to thank all the people who voted for me and I’m hoping they’ll do it again”.
But after the euphoria of going through on Sunday, Susan had to get down to brass tacks again and record a selection of songs which she must whittle down to one for the final of the competition.
“I’ll be working on the songs. I have to really perfect them,” said Susan, who admits that with all the excitement of the competition she had almost forgotten about Christmas.
“I haven’t even done any shopping yet,” he said.
Susan will be one of 12 finalists who will compete in the Helix for the dream contract to record with Thomas Black. The final will be televised live from the Helix on the night, after the remaining contestants have been chosen in the heats. “I hope all the people who supported me will doit again on the night. It is such and important chance’’ said Susan.