Anna Marie Flynn
BALLINA music sensation Politically Correct are through to the semi final of The All Ireland Talent Show – after topping the public vote on the live show on Sunday night.
Patrick Lacken (24) from the Quay, Ballina and Cian Harrison (18) from Cloona, Ballina, the only Mayo act in the competition this year, gave a powerful performance of the Josh Groban hit ‘To Where You Are’ to proudly represent The West. The impressed judging panel lauded the duo, scoring them 34 points – resulting in a second place slot in the judges’ scores.
Mentor Daithi O’Sé said he was ‘immensely proud’ of the Ballina act. “That performance was like something you would see at the West End in London or Broadway in New York. It was superb. All I can say is it was beautiful,” he said.
The other judges were equally complimentary with The South’s John Creedon predicting a very successful future for the group. “I think in the right hands, you guys could shift a lot of product internationally. Josh Groban would have no complaints with that performance,” he said.
Meanwhile Blaithnaid Ni Chofaigh said the collaboration ‘worked extremely well’, while Dana praised the live rendition as ‘very strong’. She added that she had seen the two perform as part of the musical On A Wing and A Prayer and was very impressed.
But the best moments of the night were still to come from the two who found out they had topped the public vote in the live results show, giving them a passport straight to the semi final.
“We wanted to come out and give it our all and I think we did ourselves justice,” said Patrick Lacken.
The duo is expected to have a strong following for the semi finals, as they are well known locally, having enjoyed singing from an early age under the guidance of the well known local vocal coach Lavinia Slater- Gilmartin. Both singers are also soloists with the Rejoice Gospel Choir and have performed at many local musical productions.
Should they go right through and become the winning act of the competition, not only will Politically Correct be crowned Ireland’s All Ireland Talent Champion 2011, but they will also win a staggering prize fund of €50,000.
