Eurovision success for teacher

By Johnny Caldwell
BBC News

Susan's song Sometimes is one of just six finalists

A song written by a County Armagh mother-of-three is one of just six songs shortlisted for this year's Irish Eurovision entry from over 160 entries.

Supply music teacher Susan Hewitt's composition, Sometimes, is the first time she has written both music and accompanying lyrics.

It will be sung in the live RTE final later this month by 16-year-old Liam Geddes from Ballina, County Mayo.

"It's a love song, as all the best songs are," said the Loughgall woman.

Although he's only 16, I think he really puts across the emotion of the song Susan Hewitt

"Although it's a bit different in that it doesn't stick to the traditional verse-chorus-verse-chorus format.

"I've wanted to write a song for Eurovision ever since I was young.

"And it's hard to believe that I've got this far with the first proper song I've written."

Susan and Liam were introduced by a mutual friend at the end of last year, and Sometimes was written after just one meeting.

"I heard Liam doing covers, but I wanted to write something that would really showcase his voice.

"Although he's only 16, I think he really puts across the emotion of the song."

The 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is being held in Serbia in May.

Finnish hard rock band Lordi won the song contest in 2006

Swedish music legends Abba have won the song contest, which is almost as well known for its bad songs as good.

More recently, Finnish hard rock band Lordi gained at least Europe-wide fame after their win in 2006.

The live final to find this year's Irish entry will be screened on RTE on Saturday 23 February.

If Susan's song does go all the way, she will be following in the footsteps of another famous songwriter from Northern Ireland.

Phil Coulter was involved in the writing of Sandy Shaw's 1967 Eurovision winner Puppet on a String.

He also co-wrote Congratulations, which saw Cliff Richard finish in second place the following year.