“Aaaarrrgh! It’s Eoghan Quigg! I can’t believe it!” screamed her friend standing close by as the Quigg family arrived at the local council offices on Tuesday.

The excited pair were among a crowd of 50 or so who waited anxiously to meet the Dungiven lad being honoured with a civic reception.

“When I heard he was here I was jumping up and down. I was so excited,” said a grinning 11-year-old Erin Bennett.

Close by was 11-year-old Shannon McLaughlin who was hoping to get the teen’s autograph.

“I like everything about him,” she said, smiling.

Once he was out of the car, the 16-year-old was mobbed by the youngsters asking for photos and autographs.

“It’s wicked,” said Eoghan.

“The more the fans the better. Something like this here tonight doesn’t happen to everyone. Not everyone gets a civic reception. I’m blessed to be able to do this.”

Once inside it was the turn of the Mayor, Sinn Fein Colr. Cathal OhOisin to officially honour Eoghan.

Speaking just before his speech the Mayor said: “It’s wonderful to have him here tonight. We’ve waited a long time and in fairness, I think civic society within the borough here has been very appreciative of what he has done over the whole ‘X Factor’. He’s been a great ambassador for the borough and we wish him all the best. In fairness to Eoghan he’s a very personable character. Fair play to him.”

Councillors at the event agreed Eoghan was an ambassador for the Limavady borough.

Sinn Fein Colr. Marion Donaghy said: “It’s a privilege to have a civic reception for him.”

SDLP Colr. Michael Coyle said: “It’s good news for Limavady and it’s good to see the young people here to support young Quiggy.”

United Unionist Coaltion Colr. Leslie Cubitt, the only unionist councillor at the event, said Eoghan gave the borough a lift.

“Eoghan is one person who helped unite all the communities in Limavady. He gave us a lift and he’s still giving us a lift here tonight,” said Colr. Cubitt.

Once the queues for interviews and photos subsided, Eoghan told the ‘Journal’ fans should expect to see big things from him.

“I’ve just come off the Boyzone tour and I’ve offers of work with different people, but I can’t say yet. You’ll be seeing a lot more of me and you never know what can happen. I just want to enjoy the summer.”

Eoghan’s proud dad Chrissie said his son is still signed with RCA records and had “several things at the pipeline”. One of them may include returning to school to study for GCSEs.

“I think he has a big future ahead of him and I want to say thank you to all the poeple who voted for the wee lad from Dungiven. Eoghan has represented Ireland as a whole and I hope he pays it back with fantastic music in the future.”