Kilkenny’s Rose ready to dazzle the Dome – and upset the odds!

By COLIN BARTLEY

KILKENNY Rose Clodagh Cassin takes to the stage in Tralee’s famous Dome tonight.

And the talented graduate, hockey player and sometime farmer has high hopes of bringing the Rose of Tralee crown home to Kilkenny, despite the bookies giving her extremely generous odds of 50/1 to win.

The 22-year-old was the judges’ choice for Kilkenny Rose back in April and she has been extremely active in her role ever since.

Clodagh has been very visible since been selected as Kilkenny Rose and been involved in many fundraisers throughout the county over the last number of months.

She has just completed her four-year Agricultural Science degree at UCD and is beginning a PME (Master’s in Education) next month with the intention of becoming a secondary school science teacher.

Sports-mad Clodagh has represented Ireland at hockey from the under-18s up to senior level, and even received a scholarship to UCD for her talents on the field.

The RTE Rose of Tralee International Festival starts at 8pm tonight. The winner will be crowned tomorrow night.