Tara does her county proud

Rose of Tralee

Michelle Taite

Cavan Rose, Tara Rogers, has the county beaming with pride following her fantastic appearance on the Rose of Tralee stage.

Dressed in a stunning white ball gown, Tara began speaking about her dream of becoming a primary school teacher, which she was working so hard to make a reality.

“I had to resit my Irish Leaving Cert. I didn’t have higher level and I wanted to be a primary school teacher so I just bit the bullet and went back and sat the Leaving Cert again.”

Tara qualified from Dublin City University with a Bachelor's degree in secondary teaching earlier this year.

“I did my degree in geography and music and then I decided that I didn’t want to be a secondary teacher, that I really would love to be a primary school teacher. Obviously you need the Irish and me being useless at Irish, just decided to bite the bullet and go back and do it again and see how I got on.”

Dáithí then changed the subject to Gaelic football, something both Tara and her family are extremely passionate about.

“You’d swear I was good at it the way I talk. I love football, football has always been a big part of me and I have half the Knockbride team down there, men and women and you’ll probably see a few Cavan players down there too, laughs Tara, turning her attention to the cheers rising in the crowd.

“My father’s been hugely involved in the club for years, mam is washing the jerseys, my brother plays, my boyfriend plays for Cavan, and all my cousins were footballers.”

The Kerry presenter saw an opportunity to poke fun at Tara’s boyfriend and took it, without hesitation.

“Speaking of boyfriend, he knows what’s coming, will we just get it over with? My God, he’s got a stare in his eye like a dead hare. Let's just nip it in the bud now.”

The Cavan Rose searched through the crowd for her other half before reluctantly telling the tale.

“So, Cavan was playing Donegal in an Ulster final in 2018,” says Tara, speaking above the cheers from Donegal fans. Yous won! Conor had a goal chance - one on one with the goalie - and he kicked it wide! It would have put them up by two points but it doesn’t matter, that’s football."

Silence then fell through the dome as the Knockbride native sang a beautiful rendition of Mary Black's song, A Bright Blue Rose, closing her interview with Dáithí Ó Sé.

The Breffni lass was third to take the stage on the final day of the event, which was later won by the Westmeath Rose, Rachel Duffy.

Proud supporters took to Facebook prior to the show to wish her look.

Cavan County Board: Best of luck to Tara Rogers from Knockbride GFC in The Rose of Tralee tomorrow night, we are behind you all the way. Enjoy every second of it.

Cavan Monaghan Garda Division: Best wishes to our Cavan Rose, Tara Rogers, tonight in the Rose of Tralee from all at Cavan Garda Station. We will be tuning in to cheer you on. #RoseOfTralee

Bailieborough Shamrocks GAA: “Wishing Cavan Rose @tara_nic_ruairi the very best of luck as she graces the stage tonight in the Dome. Everyone at Bailieborough Shamrocks wish you well Tara, we have no doubt you'll charm Dáithí and everyone else! There'll not be a cow milked in Knockbride tonight!