Poor Nicky Byrne. It can't be easy going to Europe with the hopes and dreams of a nation on your shoulders as well as the baggage of your country's seven previous wins but let's be honest, he was never going to do well and possibly the only person who seemed to think he might was Marty Whelan.
There were a lot of feelings amongst the Irish population last night as Nicky Byrne's 'Sunlight' failed to qualify for the final of Eurovision 2016, most of them outrage and disgust that Europe could do this to us after everything we've given them. If you ask us, we should just stop giving them all our delicious butter and then see how they like it.
cant believe we didn't get thru Nicky Byrne is such an accomplished singer, I'm going to eat some cheese to take the edge off #Eurovision
— rob&dave kearney (@boringkearney) May 12, 2016
Nevermind #IRE #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/iqIGGxf9aB
— Stuart Taylor (@stuartctaylor) May 12, 2016
Johnny Logan didn't die for this #Eurovision #IRE
— Same old Disco (@NiamhMcCarrick) May 12, 2016
We're not crying #IRE #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/4WxamQohGE
— USI (@TheUSI) May 12, 2016
OH THANKS #IRE #Ireland #eurovision pic.twitter.com/MLU515N3u6
— Alison Spittle (@AlisonSpittle) May 12, 2016
As some form of consolation can we leave Marty Whelan over there?#Eurovision #robbed
— Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) May 12, 2016
My message to those in Europe who didn't vote for Ireland ... 😢😢 #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/gx800CMX2b
— Jim Sheridan (@Jim_Sheridan) May 12, 2016
It's time to send an 87-year-old sean nós singer from Clare. We might not qualify, but we could play with their minds. #Eurovision
— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) May 12, 2016
Dear #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/pVeJO0RAvo
— Karl O'Shaughnessy (@OShaughnessyK) May 12, 2016
Never liked the #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/F8aBRb4GFT
— Jonathan Healy (@jonathanhealy) May 12, 2016
We didn't want to be in it anyway ye shower of hoors. #Eurovision
*I only ever watch the voting
— Damien O'Meara (@damien_omeara) May 12, 2016
Advertised
We just got Byrned at the #Eurovision GET IT?!?! 😆
— Cormac Moore (@CormacComedy) May 12, 2016
Well now we know what the 2016 Rising will be about #Justice4NickyByrne #Eurovision
— Not The RTÉ Guide (@YourRTEGuide) May 12, 2016
I blame it On Lisbon treaty . #robbed #Eurovision .
— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) May 12, 2016
Australian Twitter quite happy with that, let's check in on Irish Twitter. #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/irtLEicRkb
— Scott Reid âš¡ï¸Â (@scottreid1980) May 12, 2016
Eirexit. #Eurovision
— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) May 12, 2016
We'll have to send poor @NickyByrne this tea-towel when he gets back the cratur ... #Eurovision #irl pic.twitter.com/CwtlZW5J1E
— irishmammies (@irishmammies) May 12, 2016
What's another year? #Eurovision
— Donal O'Keeffe (@Donal_OKeeffe) May 13, 2016
But look, at least Nicky got to meet Graham Norton. That's nice.
Nicky's so appreciative of all the support he's received from everyone! #Eurovisionpic.twitter.com/JtExR4mePs
— RTÉ2 (@RTE2) May 12, 2016
As for what the man himself had to say for failing to qualify, he released the below statement.
“Obviously I'm disappointed - I really would have loved to represent Ireland at the final on Saturday, but sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to. I went out there and gave it my absolute best shot. I've had such an amazing time in Stockholm and I'm so glad I had the honour of representing Ireland at Eurovision. I've had some brilliant experiences and met fantastic people so I'll take those special memories with me. I have no regrets - life is short and it was an incredible opportunity to represent my country in front of a global audience. I would recommend it to any music act to take on the challenge next year - there is no bigger platform. Over 200 million people watch the Eurovision and with America broadcasting the for the first time this year and Justin Timberlake performing during the interval act it just goes to show how popular and loved it is. I want to thank Team Ireland - Ian, Jay, Janet, Jennifer and Johann for all their hard work. It was brilliant to have such a great team with me. Thanks and love to Georgina, the kids and my family, thanks to friends, colleagues,my management team Tim and Joanne, RTE and Universal for all the support in recent months. There are too many people to thank - you know who you are and I'm very grateful for all the support you've shown me. Thanks to all the fans and everyone around the world who voted. When I get home I'm looking forward to promoting the new album Sunlight. I'm so proud that I had the opportunity to fly the flag for Ireland at Eurovision 2016.”
Brass tacks of it is, we're a lone little Island with only one neighbour. The Bloc countries will always win out.
