The 16-year old, who spent the summer stacking shelves at the local Eurospar, has beaten more than 180,000 hopefuls to bag a coveted place in the last 12 of the competition.

Tomorrow night the GCSE student will have to sing for survival, and his family and friends are hoping the whole country will help him through to the next show.

The St. Patrick's High School student was watched by millions as music mogul and mentor Simon Cowell kept him on tenderhooks last weekend finally giving him the good news on Sunday's show.

The keen hurler and gaelic footballer is now holed up in a London house, rehearsing for Saturday's first live show after which one act will be booted out.

Despite his success, locals say the St. Patrick's High School student is taking it all in his stride.

Limavady Sinn Fein councillor and Dungiven man Cathal OhOisin knows Eoghan through Kevin Lynch's Hurling Club, and says he is a "super ambassador" for the borough.

Limavady Sinn Fein Mayor Brenda Chivers agrees.

"He's a great young fella, and we're very proud of him. We're all thinking of him and hopefully everyone will vote and get him through to the end."

Eoghan's school principal, Anne Sands says Eoghan's success is no surprise as throughout the years his talent has been evident.

Ms Sands is going all out to make sure Eoghan gets through, and has sent hundreds of posters of the X Factor hopeful to every school in Northern Ireland.

Tomorrow night, fans will crowd into the local GAA hall to watch Eoghan on the big screen.

"Is he good enough?," said his dad Chris this week. "Yes, but now it's down to votes. Hopefully all of Ireland will get behind him so he can do Ireland proud."

Chris added: "I'm not just saying this because I'm his father but he really is a very talented boy. Chances like this only come along once, and he's taking his chance."