By Michelle Crawley
MULLINGAR will be well represented in Croke Park this month, with Barry Kelly as referee at this Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling Final, and two performances by Michaela Hogg on two of Croke Park’s biggest match days, one this forthcoming Sunday, 7 September, when she and her band provide half-time entertainment, and again on Sunday, 28 September, when she sings the National Anthem at the All-Ireland Senior Ladies’ Football Championship Final.
Speaking to Topic ahead of Sunday’s performance, Michaela Hogg, of local group ‘Michaela and The Roadrunners’, said she can’t wait for the two All-Ireland Sundays to come around and revealed that she isn’t one bit nervous at all about singing in Croke Park. Instead of fretting over vocals ahead of this Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling Final, Michaela has been busy picking out a dress for the occasion, and revealed that she will be wearing navy on the day, as well as sporting a pair of Thomas Sabo sapphire earrings and a matching sapphire ring which was kindly sponsored by local jewellers, Alannah Rose.
FIELDS OF GLORY
Michaela also revealed that she will be singing ‘Fields of Glory’ with her rockabilly group, consisting of Shane Bardon and Ross Gavin on guitars, Joe Murray on the cajun box, and Robert Arnold on bass guitar, at this Sunday’s All-Ireland final. Michaela got to know Shane, Ross, Joe, and Robert through Mullingar Arts Centre and both herself and her mother, Mary, were quick to praise and thank Arts Centre director, Séan Lynch, for giving Michaela and the band, as well as lots of youngsters, every opportunity.
The seventeen-year-old singer won the chance to play at Croke Park after she won the TG4 talent show ‘Scór Encore’ in May of this year. Michaela, who has just completed her Leaving Cert at St. Finian’s College, entered the competition as a county winner of Scor Na nÓg and sailed her way into the final of the competition after wowing the judges with her keen vocals.
SINGING WITH HER BAND
Michaela, who is just about to commence a PLC course in Computer Applications with Mullingar Community College, explained that she requested for her band to play with her at Croke Park and was thrilled when production company, Adare Productions, got back to her a fortnight ago, and granted her request. “I was thrilled that they allowed me to have the band with me. Originally I was going to sing a sean nós song on my own but I decided I really wanted the band to be part of it. Shane accompanied me throughout Scór Encore and I wanted to sing with the guys. They are delighted too and really looking forward to it,” she revealed excitedly.
VIP TREATMENT
Michaela and The Roadrunners will be put up in a hotel the night before the match, along with their manager, Derek Irwin, and Michaela’s parents, Mary and Brendan Hogg. “It is great”, she said, “we can’t wait to go. The atmosphere in Croke Park will be amazing”.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
And it is something which this talented singer will have to get used to as she has been asked to perform the National Anthem at Croke Park on Sunday, 28 September, on the occasion of the All-Ireland Ladies’ Senior Football Final. “I was singing at the ladies’ semi-final in Cusack Park last weekend. Once I finished singing, I was approached by TG4, who were televising the match, and asked if I could sing at the ladies final. I couldn’t believe it and I still can’t. Singing twice in Croke Park in the same month is unbelievable. I feel so honoured,” she exclaimed.
SUPPORTING THE
ORIGINAL RUDEBOYS
The national exposure can only be positive for Michaela and The Roadrunners, who are already facing into a busy month, supporting The Original Rudeboys at the Irish Greyhound Derby Final in Shelbourne Park on Saturday, 13 September, as well as a number of local gigs, including Danny Byrne’s this forthcoming Thursday, 4 September, John Daly’s on Saturday, 20 September, and the Greville Arms on Saturday, 3 October. “We have been given a 1 hour and 15 minute slot before The Original Rudeboys.
I am so excited as I have a massive interest in greyhound racing. I even own a greyhound! And we are playing support for The Original Rudeboys!” she exclaimed.
