Marty Whelan believes Eurovision hopefuls Wild Youth have what it takes to go “all the way”.
The legendary presenter – RTE commentator at the song contest for over two decades – heaped praise on the foursome and their entry We Are One.
The band, made up of Conor O’Donohoe, David Whelan, Ed Porter and Callum McAdam, will hit the Liverpool stage for the first semi-final on Tuesday.
Read more: Graham Norton hails Wild Youth as 'dark horses' ahead of Eurovision
Marty, 66, told the Sunday Mirror: “I’m optimistic this year, Wild Youth will travel, their music works everywhere.
“They’ve got what it takes to go all the way.”
He added: “It’s going to be a tough semi-final, let’s not kid ourselves.
“That’s the scary bit because there’s a number of countries who are all favourable towards each other.
“There’s no point in pretending that’s not the case, but Wild Youth are a proper band; they’re really going for it.
“The song is great and their performance will be phenomenal.”
Bookies have Sweden’s Loreen as Eurovision favourite with Kaarija from Finland second and Canadian-born La Zarra, singing for France, in third.
Next fancied are Ukraine, Spain and Norway, with Wild Youth tipped by Graham Norton as the “little dark horses” of this year’s contest.
Norton will present the grand final for the BBC alongside Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham and BGT judge Alesha Dixon.
Marty said he feels short-changed that the contest is a stone’s throw from Dublin as the UK host in Liverpool for last year’s winners Ukraine.
The Lyric FM presenter joked: “I’m just going to bring the car over on the ferry and pitch our tent in some field and send a fax back to RTE.
“I’ve never been to Liverpool, it will be my first time. I’m a Beatles maniac so that will also be a buzz.”
Marty described Brooke Scullion’s elimination with That’s Rich last year in Turin as a shock.
Read more: How to watch Eurovision finals, latest betting odds and more
He said: “I still believe Brooke should have got through, we were robbed.
“I felt so sorry for her because she was really talented.”
He believes Ireland’s chances could be bolstered because our UK neighbours are hosting.
Marty said: “They’re really into it this year more than they have been.
“We’re very conscious of that because they’re right next door.”
Ireland first entered the contest in 1965 and we had our first victory with Dana’s hit All Kinds of Everything in 1970.
Famously winning four out of five contests in the 1990s, we have won the contest a record seven times; but getting back to our victory days is easier said than done.
Marty explained: “Eurovision has changed dramatically and people don’t tend to get that.
“It was much smaller back in Ireland’s glory days.
“You were up against 22 countries, now you’re battling against 40.
“We were still sending acts that were good enough, but in the last while we haven’t been able to break through.”
He added: “Everyone stops me to talk about Eurovision, everybody has an opinion. I love it to bits.
“The way I treat it is, you say what you see, as if you are a viewer.
“That gives me a certain licence to enjoy the moment.”
The broadcaster’s love affair with the contest began with his parents, who both worked in the rag trade.
He revealed: “My mum and dad would buy the RTE Guide and tick off the winners. It was a big deal in my house.
“The other boys would be kicking the football, and I was rubbish, I was into music, so to be the commentator now is quite a thrill.”
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