Longford's K Muni and ND win many new admirers as they finish third in Late Late Eurosong Final

Longford's K Muni and ND (Kofi Appiah and Nevlonne Dampare) may not have won last night's Late Late Late Eurosong, however, their positive, upbeat attitude and accomplished performance of their song 'Down in the Rain' saw them win many new admirers as they finished third overall. 

Ireland will be represented at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest by band Wild Youth and their entry We Are One. 

The Late Late Eurosong Final saw six acts - Leila Jane, ADGY, Public Image Limited, CONNOLLY, and K Muni and ND - battle it out on live television for their place at Eurovision 2023. 

The winning act was chosen via International Jury, National Jury, and the public - who were able to vote after all singers this evening had performed their songs and the voting lines opened.

Love the Longford boys bigging up their backing dancers #latelate

— Anne Whitmore (@Annie_Whitmore) February 3, 2023

Longford boys just know you’re in my heart #eurosong

— Joanne O’ Riordan (@JoanneOR_Ox) February 3, 2023

Despite what happens, K Muni and ND have done Longford and the Eurofandom proud #eurosong

— Orla (@orlacdillon) February 3, 2023

Speaking following their victorious performance tonight, Wild Youth singer Conor O'Donohoe said it was a huge honour to be selected to represent Ireland on the world stage later this year.

"Thank-you to everyone who voted for us, we are overwhelmed, we hope everyone can get behind the song and that we can do everyone in Ireland proud. We want to thank all of our families, they have supported us from day one."

The band (Donohoe, Ed Porter, Callum McAdam, and David Whelan) are well established in Ireland, with a string of hits, and have previously toured with Westlife, Niall Horan, Kodaline, and Lewis Capaldi. 

Their debut album All or Nothing was released in 2017.  Winning entry We Are One was penned by Donohoe in Sweden with with Grammy-nominated songwriter Jörgen Elofsson.

The first performer this evening was Leila Jane with Wild, Song 2 was ADGY's Too Good for Your Love, Song 3 was Public Limited Image with Hawaii, Song 4 was CONNOLLY with Midnight Summer Night, followed by Wild Youth's We Are One, and lastly, K Muni & ND's Down in the Rain.

K Muni and ND are massive legends I love them #Eurosong2023

— lou (@irlandeloupoint) February 3, 2023

"Down in the Rain" is such a breath of fresh air! K Muni & ND absolutely nailed it. #LateLateShow #Eurosong

— Jack Walker (@JackTheFact29) February 3, 2023

K Muni and ND would be pretty different for Eurovision, and VERY different for Ireland. Polishing needed of course, but they have confidence with live microphones... #eurosong2023

— Matt ❤ Eurovision (@mattlovesesc) February 3, 2023

Ah I'm delighted for Wild Youth. I've seen them a couple of times and they are great.
Hard luck to the Longford lads K Muni and ND. Ye did us proud. #Eurosong23 #LateLateShow

— Emma (@emsheenb) February 3, 2023

This coming 3rd in #Eurosong just proves that good rap music is becoming more appreciated in the “sphere” of Eurovision - genuinely so buzzing to see it doing well. Huge congratulations to K Muni & ND for doing this incredible performance #LateLate pic.twitter.com/xfITXPskIp

— liv (@liv_liv_liv__) February 3, 2023

Loved these guys tonight. A song about rain perfect for an Irish Eurovision! K Muni & ND - Down in the Rain | The Late Late Show | RTÉ One https://t.co/7t8joQQqjJ via @YouTube

— EmbyG (@MaryGillan3) February 4, 2023

Following each performance tonight, host Ryan Tubridy got feedback from the in-studio panel which included former Eurovision contestants Jedward, singer-songwriter Ruth-Anne Cunningham, BBC Radio 1 presenter Gemma Bradley, and Soprano Celine Byrne.

RTÉ Eurovision commentator Marty Whelan was on presenting duties also, feeding in from the Greenroom where the acts waited as the votes came in.

The International Jury vote was submitted by spokesperson Dr Paul Jordan, the National Jury by Junior Eurovision presenter Louise Cantillon, and the Public Vote by RTÉ 2FM's Lottie Ryan.

Love the Longford lads… perhaps not a Eurosong but good tune. @RTELateLateShow #eurosong pic.twitter.com/ncp2jHOI2e

— Declan Varley (@declanvarley) February 3, 2023

Big up to the lads from Longford. Really enjoyed it. Did the town proud. #eurosong2023

— Fergal Crossan (@Fergal_Crossan) February 3, 2023

Thank God for the crew from longford #TheLateLateShow . Clear winners.

— pauric trautt (@trauttp) February 3, 2023

#DownInTheRain & #Longford trending #eurosong @fthkmuni & #ND @RTELateLateShow pic.twitter.com/ztGuma9max

— Backstage Theatre (@backstageIRL) February 3, 2023

The judges have gone for safe options. The lads from Longford should get this. A breath of fresh air and a damn fine tune too. #LateLateShow

— John Mee (@John__Mee) February 3, 2023

Ireland will perform in the first half of the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool on Tuesday May 9, with the final taking place in the Liverpool Arena next to the River Mersey on Saturday May 13. 

Ireland still holds the record for most Eurovision wins, with a tally of seven victories at the contest.

Ireland first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965. Ireland famously won 4 out of 5 contests in the 1990s and became the first country to win 3 times in a row.