Brendan set to go all the way on the X Factor

The latest Irish singer to stake a claim for stardom on the X Factor talent competition, Brendan Murray, has Cavan links.
Brendan's dad Frank is from Kildallan near Ballyconnell, The Anglo-Celt can reveal.
The locals were overjoyed on Sunday night when it was revealed that the Galway-born Brendan (21) had earned himself a coveted 'Safe Seat' in the boys category.

Check out the audition that landed Brendan the 'golden buzzer' putting him straight through to judge's houses.

The ultimate seal of approval from mentor Louis Tomlinson came during the nail-biting Six Chair Challenge. It puts plumber Brendan straight through to the judges' houses stage of the competition, the final hurdle for selection before the live shows.
Not only did Brendan's rendition of REM's 'Everybody Hurts' earn him a standing ovation from the crowd, but the hard-to-impress Simon Cowell even commented: "You are in a completely different league to everyone else we've seen so far. Do you know what's so charming about you? You don't even know how good you are."
The talented Brendan is well known in music circles, having represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017 with the song 'Dying to Try'. However, he failed to qualify for the final in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The former student at St Patrick's P.S. Tuam and St Jarlath's College is also a former member of the Irish boyband 'Hometown', managed by Louis Walsh.
The band achieved three chart successes in Ireland, including the number one singles 'Where I Belong' in 2014, and 'Cry for Help' in 2015.
Their debut album, HomeTown, was released in November 2015 and peaked at number four in Ireland.
In December 2016, the band announced an indefinite hiatus.
This X Factor series is judged by Cowell, Robbie Williams, Ayda Field and Tomlinson.
Brendan is reported as saying his dad Frank gave him the final push by booking his flight and accommodation sending him on his way to entering the X Factor competition.
Praising his parents for their support, Brendan said: "They've just been great. This is something that dad has always wanted to do but it was different in his time, the opportunities weren't there. He just loves what's happening."
Frank worked for over 35 years with the former Quinn Group.
The X Factor continues this evening Saturday and tomorrow evening Sunday on Virgin Media One from 8pm.