Scr encore winner will represent westmeath in croke park

It’s not often Westmeath is represented in Croke Park on all-Ireland final day but this year we can cheer loud and proud for the Lake County as Michaela Hogg from Mullingar will be singing The Fields of Glory at the All-Ireland Championship Hurling Final on Sunday September 7.

She will also be singing the national anthem at the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Final in Croke Park on September 28.

The 17-year-old songstress who has just completed her Leaving Cert at St Finian’s College was the winner of TG4’s Scór Encore and will be representing Westmeath on the pitch in front of 82,500 people with a rendition of The Fields of Glory.

In fact Michaela, who is lead singer of the rockabilly group Michaela and The Roadrunners, has been performing since she was just eight, winning seven county titles for recitation, singing, ballad groups with Mullingar Shamrocks in Scór na nÓg.

“The Scór Encore competition started in January when I had to audition in the Longford Arms. There were taking the top performers from Scór na nÓg. They rang Mam to say that I had made it through to the live shows, but I didn’t actually know it was a competition until I got up there until I sang the Chapel Gates of Cooraclare and then they said they were going to announce the winner,” she says.

“I got through to the semi-final and I sang the Boys of Barr na Sráide and I was one of the two in the final. Fare Thee Well Lovely Mary was the song that won it on the night.

The judges liked Michaela right from the beginning because of the modern twist she brought to traditional Sean Nós songs, and she was helped in doing so with the accompaniment of Shane Bardon, on guitar.

“I really enjoyed the whole experience, especially the make-up beforehand, I loved the glitz and the glam of it,” says Michaela.

Throughout that glitz and the glam, Michaela was sitting her Leaving Cert, and is delighted with her results.

“I did well, I passed with flying colours, so I’m very happy with it.”

But now she has to prepare to sing in front of all of Ireland, will she be nervous at all?

“At the moment I’m not nervous but I probably will be on the day. The thing I’m most looking forward to is the blessing of the balls and to meeting the players, the President and the Taoiseach,” said Michaela.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting Henry Shefflin,” she laughs.

Parents Mary and Brendan are proud of Michaela and are excited about the prospect of her performing in Croke Park.

“Since the age of three Michaela has always been singing,” says Mary. “I will be so proud of her standing up there, I’m really looking forward to it, and I know I will be nervous for her.”

Michaela is the second Mullingar person to sing in Croke Park this year, with Niall Horan doing three One Direction concerts there, I ask Michaela if she would consider auditioning for X Factor in the future.

“Because I was contracted to RTÉ I couldn’t audition this year but next year I definitely will. And, fingers crossed, you never know!”

• Catch Michaela and The Roadrunners live in John Daly’s on Saturday September 20 and at the Greville Arms on October 3.