Sarah set for Voice semi-final

A young Scariff singer has described securing a place in the last eight of The Voice competition as “surreal” and a “dream come true”.

Sarah McTernan from Fossabeg never expected to reach the semi-final when she first entered the competition but is now hoping that huge support from the Banner and elsewhere in the country will help her win a place in the last four.

Regardless of how she fares in the remainder of the competition, she believes the huge experience and training she has obtained in recent weeks will prove invaluable in her bid to make a singing career out of her favourite past-time.

Only two members of Rachel Stevens’ team were in a position to qualify from the quarter-final on Sunday night. Kieran McKillop was selected from the public vote, leaving Sarah sweating it out with her team mate, Paddy Kennedy for the second spot in the last four.

The Scariff singer has been working on her confidence and it really shone through with her performance of the chart-topping hit What I Did For Love by David Guetta and Emeli Sandé. Bressie said he had no doubt that Sarah had the talent to go through but needed to keep working on her confidence but her coach, Rachel disagreed and thought Sarah is already achieving this.

While Rachel struggled to decide which contestant she would save, she gave Sarah another chance in the semi-final.

The 21-year-old, who is currently studying vocals and dance at the University of Limerick, wasn’t sure she would be selected when it came down to a battle with Paddy Kennedy.

“I thought my heart would come out of my chest. I was so happy and grateful at being selected. You always tend to be critical of your own performance. I want to keep on improving in the competition and would love to reach the final. The experience I have gained so far has been phenomenal. It has been great to perform in front of thousands of people, do interviews and get some great training from my team coach, Rachel.

“Rachel is so lovely and down to earth. She told me beforehand not to be nervous. She is quite shy until she performs on stage. We are very similar in that way.

“The competition at this stage is unreal. It is really difficult to see anyone going home because we are all very close to each other,” she said.

Once again, Sarah will spend this week rehearsing for the semi-final on Sunday night and really appreciates all the support she has received to date, particularly from staff and management in her workplace in Penney’s, Ennis.

A busload travelled up to Dublin to support her, including her mother, cousins from Kerry and Tipperary and about 13 workmates.

She didn’t go down to see her family and friends before her performance but used their presence as a source of encouragement and support once she went out on stage to perform.

“Knowing your family and workmates are there to support you really grounds you on the night,” she said.

By Dan Danaher