By Claire Corrigan
Mullingar native Caoimhe McCarthy’s The Voice of Ireland journey came to an unexpected end on Sunday’s live show when despite receiving positive feedback from every judge, Mentor Rachel Stevens chose Ciaran O’Driscoll.
The student sang a sultry version of Major Lazer & Dj Snake hit song, ‘Lean On,’ which seemed to strike a chord with everyone including Presenter Kathryn Thomas described the the 19-year-old’s performance as “absolutely fantastic.”
When asked how she felt being on the cusp of entering the quarter-finals, an emotional Caominhe said, “It’s so overwhelming. Just to be here standing on the stage is so surreal and I just want to take everything I can out of this whole experience.”
Kian said he really enjoyed her “stripped back” performance after describing Ciaran’s elaborate rendition of the Eurovision-winning song ‘Euphoris’ by Loreen as ‘gimmicky’.
“You were so exposed. You just had a piano and tiny kick drum and you held it note perfect all the way through. Honestly I thought it was really really strong and if it was me choosing tonight I think you’d be my choice.”
Una Foden said she agreed with a male audience member who shouted, ‘Beautiful’ during her peformance. “He was right. It was a beautiful female vocal. It was just effortless for you and you took out each note perfectly. Well done.”
Mullingar-native Bressie couldn’t resist mentioning his common roots with the student and said, of the three, he would put her through. “That accent sounded familar. You did yourself and Mullingar massively proud. That was really good and really strong and to be fair, out of the three, I’d be putting you through.”
Mentor Rachel Steven was also full of praise for the teenager saying that she had come a long way since the Battle rounds. “You have so much composure and such a calmness about you. You’ve done me really proud and you have a beautiful voice and I think you’re going to go really far.”
However the performance was not enough to see Caomihe through. “I just want to say I’m really proud of all three of you. You’ve given it all you have. But I have to go with Ciaran.”
The third Live Knockout show takes place next weekend, where you can see Michaela Hogg, in the Quarter Final on Sunday April 10. There will be three contestants on each team, and the top act from the public vote will automatically go through to the Semi Final on April 17.
