The Rose of Tralee takes place this evening with the first half of the 32 hopefuls taking to the stage with Dáithí Ó Sé in a bid to take the crown.
One Rose is standing taller than the rest in the betting and has shortened further for the crown as punters continue to back her.
Picture Credit: twitter.com/roseoftralee
Kilkenny Rose Sarah Kearns was sensationally backed into the 4/1 favourite from her early price of 12/1 on Friday and the support has continued seeing her cut further from 4/1 to 3/1.
Her key rival in the betting is Roscommon Rose Aisling McNeill who is the new second favourite after an influx of bets on Monday morning forced traders to slash her price from 14/1 to 10/3.
Our reporter Cóilín Duffy caught up with Aisling McNeill ahead of last week’s Rose of Tralee qualifier.
Listen to their five minute chat here.
Other contenders
Galway Rose Rosie Burke and Chicago Rose Maggie Rose McEldowney are both priced at 13/2 after seeing support from punters throughout the week.
Offaly Rose Emma Kirwan could be the dark horse in the race for the crown after her odds were cut from 40/1 on Friday to 8/1 after a string of large bets.
Early favourite to win, Cork Rose Denise Collins has suffered a fall from grace at the worst possible time and is now priced at 12/1 to don the crown having been the front runner.
Aoife Heffron, PR Executive for BoyleSports commented
“Just hours before the Roses take to the stage the betting has been sent into upheaval as punters rush to get behind their pick for the crown. Kilkenny and Roscommon are head-to-head for the title of Rose of Tralee with Kilkenny the narrow favourite at 3/1.”
She added “The Offaly Rose is most certainly one to watch after numerous large bets came in over the weekend and Monday morning that saw her shorten right in from 40/1 to 8/1, placing her within the top five in the betting.”
The odds in full are as follows
Kilkenny Rose – Sarah Kearns 3/1
Roscommon Rose – Aisling McNeill 10/3
Galway Rose – Rosie Burke 13/2
Chicago Rose – Maggie Rose McEldowney 13/2
Offaly Rose – Emma Kirwan 8/1
South Carolina Rose – Erin Moran 10/1
Ottawa Rose – Sarah Griffin 12/1
Cork Rose – Denise Collins 12/1
Melbourne Rose – Meghan Griffin 16/1
London Rose – Emma Murphy-O’Connor 16/1
Louth Rose – Megan Ferguson 18/1
Newcastle/Gateshead Rose – Aisling Murray 20/1
Cavan Rose – Lisa Reilly 20/1
Abu Dhabi Rose – Dearbhladh Walsh 22/1
Monaghan Rose – Pamela Allen 28/1
Kildare Rose – Meabhdh O’Sullivan 50/1
North Caroline Rose – Maigan Kennedy 50/1
Wicklow Rose – Jane Harrison 66/1
Newfoundland & Labrador Rose – Anna Murphy 66/1
Kerry Rose – Danielle O’Sullivan 66/1
Queensland Rose – Jess Logan 66/1
Longford Rose – Caroline Doyle 66/1
Philadelphia Rose – Brigid Gallagher 80/1
Ohio Rose – Kathleen O’Donnell 100/1
Texas Rose – Katherine O’Sullivan 100/1
Germany Rose – Kari Foss 100/1
South Australia Rose – Rochelle Melino 100/1
New Zealand Rose – Hannah Greally 100/1
Kentucky Rose – Morgan Loy 100/1
Sydney Rose – Brianna Parkins 100/1
New Orleans Rose – Shannon Burke 100/1
Scotland Rose – Blathnaid Loughran 100/1
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