Ballinasloe's Rachel bidding for Glór Tíre glory in Tuesday's final

Ballinasloe singer Rachel Goode is aiming to claim a €5,000 prize and the honour of being crowned winner of Glór Tíre when the final of the country music talent competition takes place live on TG4 on Tuesday evening next (February 22).

Eight contestants were part of this year's series, which began in early January, but now just three remain.

During Tuesday's semi-final Rachel received enough public votes to make it through to the decider, along with Aishling Rafferty from Tipperary and Kenny Crawford from Donegal.

It's been a very busy few weeks for Rachel who has released a new single, Tennessee Waltz, and also competed in this month's Late Late Show Eurosong contest to choose Ireland's Eurovision entry.

Despite securing the second-highest public vote for her performance of I'm Loving Me, the classically-trained soprano missed out on the Eurovision spot which was claimed by Derry's Brooke Scullion with her song, That's Rich.

During Tuesday's semi-final, Rachel performed an Irish language translation of When You Were Sweet Sixteen, the Irish ballad made famous by the Fureys. She followed this up with a light-hearted country song, Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind).

Posting on social media after making it through to Tuesday's Glór Tíre final, Rachel expressed her gratitude to everyone who had taken the time to vote for her.

"I am absolutely thrilled, and I really couldn’t believe it when my name was called out," she said.

"I am so grateful to each and every one one of you for getting behind me! I can't thank you all enough."

She also thanked her mentor, Mike Denver, and his management for giving her the opportunity to be on the show.

"Every time I get on that stage, I just don't want to leave. I can't wait to sing for you all again next week," she said.

In addition to the €5,000 cash prize, the winner of the competition will accompany Mike Denver and friends to Portugal for a week of musical performances later in the year.

There was Offaly interest in this year's competition with Banagher native Colin Kenny and Deirdre Keane, a Galway native who has made her home in Banagher, also taking part.

Colin reached Tuesday's semi-final before bowing out, while Deirdre exited the competition a week earlier.

The final will be broadcast on TG4 at 9.30pm on Tuesday next, February 22.