LIMERICK Rose, Kayleigh Maher has missed out on taking the crown at this year’s Rose of Tralee competition after losing out to Offaly Rose, Jennifer Byrne.
It was the first time in ten years that a Limerick Rose had been chosen to appear on the live RTE broadcast, and this year was the first in 59 years an Offaly Rose took the coveted crown.
Gracious in defeat, Kayleigh told the Limerick Post that Offaly Rose, Jennifer Byrne was a worthy winner and the Limerick Rose “and all the other roses were ecstatic for her”.
On her live broadcast appearance Kayleigh enamoured the crowd as she spoke with Rose of Tralee host, Daithí Ó Sé in front of a packed Dome. The two spoke of Kayleigh having to deal with a South Korean “Superfan” who Photoshopped her image in high places, her studies in Mary Immaculate College and National University of Galway and her new teaching job.
“I absolutely can’t put it into words,” said Kayleigh on the feeling of competing in this year’s Rose of Tralee.
“I never for a second thought that I would be down here,” she said, adding how she was happy being the first Limerick Rose to make the live broadcast in ten years, “I was happy to make it to the live show and put Limerick back on the map in the Rose of Tralee competitions.”
Up next for Kayleigh, she told the Limerick Post she will enjoy her final night in Tralee before making her way to Kildare where she starts her new teaching job on Friday.
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