Show of might by ‘Bridge Rose

ROSE of Clare contestants regularly attempt to woo the Cooraclare audience and the competition judges with displays of dancing, singing or creative recitation.

Sixmilebridge rose Zoe Crowe opted for a less trodden entertainment route when she flexed her muscles in front of a packed Cooraclare Community Centre, on Tuesday night. Instead of clearing her throat, Zoe and her escort Joe Bracken wheeled out a 60kg weightlifting kit.

“I’ve lifted 70kg but usually I throw it on the floor. But I said that if I threw it on the floor it may have gone through it and I didn’t want to have to pay for a new one,” Zoe explained on Wednesday.

Drawing gasps of admiration from the audience, Zoe effortlessly pumped the weights. “I usually have a pad on the back of my neck to protect my neck, so my neck is a bit sore today,” she said on Wednesday.

Her escort was a huge help. “He was posing behind me,” Zoe laughed, adding she has enjoyed the week of festivities in Cooraclare.

“I was a bit nervous about doing it because most of the roses are from nearby villages. But they are really nice, friendly girls,” she said.

Sixteen roses were interviewed on Tuesday and Wednesday night by Colm O’Connor from the Irish Examiner. The winner, who will be presented with €1,000 and additional prizes, will be revealed on Friday night in the community centre. The roses have attended several events held in Cooraclare and Cree throughout the week including a table quiz on Monday night where they met with Dublin senior football manager Jim Gavin. His father Jimmy Gavin is from Dromehilly, Cooraclare.