Only Love Survives gives Irish a fighting chance in Eurovision

Ireland are the most successful nation in the history of Eurovision with seven triumphs, four of which came in a five year spell between 1992 and 1996.

Their entry for this year’s competition in Malmo, Sweden, is Ryan Dolan’s Only Love Survives, a bass-heavy euphoric number in a similar vein to last year’s winner Loreen from Sweden.

Since their dominance of the competition in the Nineties, Ireland has only managed two top 10 finishes in the past 11 years. The latest entry certainly marks a change in direction for the country after twin duo Jedward were the selected performers in 2011 and 2012.

The 28-year-old Dolan has supported a variety of acts in his career, most notably Tinchy Stryder and the preceding Irish entrants. He is 50/1 to bring an eighth trophy back to Ireland.

Dolan co-wrote his entry with Wez Devine, a trance-orientated producer. The duo teamed up before to deliver the track The Secret (Get out of my head). The partnership is undoubtedly an attempt to tap into the dance music zeitgeist, which has enjoyed significant commercial success across much of Europe.

The video also sees Dolan adopt Tottenham footballer Gareth Bale’s heart-finger celebration, so the entry could find extra support from fans of the Welshman.

Scandinavia certainly seems to be the current hotbed of European pop, with Denmark strong favourites to win the competition for a third time at evens, and seemingly only Norway, winners as recently as 2009, considered realistic threats to the crown, at 13/2.

It is also worth noting that Denmark’s last victory followed success for the incumbent champions Sweden, in 2000.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing