'People were afraid I was going to win' - Mayo singer reveals past Eurovision experience

Back in February, Mayo singer Marc Roberts was a guest on RTÉ Today and spoke about his Eurovision experience and his opinion of Ireland's entry for the 2025 song contest in Switzerland.

Roberts, who represented the country at Eurovision 1997 with the song "Mysterious Woman", achieved a second-place finish in Dublin.

Ireland had won the song contest the last three of the four years before Roberts' entry, with the latest being Eimer Quinn with the song "The Voice" in 1996.

Before his appearance at the song contest, the Crossmolina man explained that "everyone told me you can't possibly win, it's going to cost a fortune!" - referencing Ireland hosting the event a number of years prior.

"We came close [to winning]. People were afraid I was going to win, but for me, it was an important thing in my career. It is still the best calling card in the world - everyone loves the Eurovision."

Speaking about Ireland's entry this year, EMMY's "Laika Party", Roberts said: "It is a belter, but my only fear is that it is like something that was in the contest last year. Ireland has always done well when we have sent something that has nothing to do with Eurovision. 

"The song [Laika Party] will work great in mainland Europe, and I can see thousands of people bopping to it in the arena."

This year's Eurovision Song Contest begins tonight in Basel - Tuesday, May 13 to Saturday, May 17.