Gerard Diver's daughter to compete in Rose of Tralee

Interestingly Eva’s father, MLA Gerard Diver will be take time out from his own election campaign in order to support his eldest.

Gerard is an SDLP candidate in the NI Assembly election and former Mayor of Derry.

The father of four said he was looking forward to seeing his daughter represent Derry adding: “No matter how Eva gets on I am always a very proud Derry daddy and I expect that will only be extra true this weekend.”

Eva, from Hayesbank Park is 19 years old and studies Business with Finance Management student at Northumbria University, Newcastle.

She said: “I’m incredibly excited to be taking part in the Rose of Tralee festival. I’ve been a fan of the competition for many years. I’m very proud of the fact that I come from Derry, and it would be amazing to get through and represent Newcastle and my hometown of Derry in Tralee.

“The other girls have all become great friends, and I’m really grateful to the local organising committee for the confidence they have shown in me.”

Mr Diver said: “It is funny that we are both aiming to represent Derry in our own way. It would be great if we were both successful but for this weekend all the focus, rightly, will be on Eva.”