Longford and Cavan public left to rue judges decision as McGahern's DWTS quest for glory comes up short

The Gowna comic saw his hopes of going all the way in this year’s competition come up short after a nail-biting dance off against beauty entrepreneur and influencer Suzanne Jackson.

In the end it was the award winning blogger turned businesswoman that the judges opted to save, thereby bringing the curtain down on Kevin’s nine week long association with the RTÉ flagship show.

“I had a great run and got much further than I thought or hoped to get,” he said.

“I also am happy in that I went out on a high note and on a dance that I was very happy with. I would have been annoyed if I went out last week as I feel it wasn’t my best dance.”

Last Sunday’s semi-final carried a fairy tale theme and saw all six couples take to the floor at the same time in a marathon style challenge.

Kevin’s reference to “going out on a high note” was very much directed at his desire to take on the Charlestown dance, a routine he had been quietly itching to perform.

When it became clear Kevin and his professional dance partner Laura Nolan were in the bottom two and facing the dance off, the father of two knew the odds were stacked against him.

“I knew Suzanne was a good dancer and always scores well, so I had kind of accepted my fate,” he said.

“I just said to myself: ‘Right, I will dance my arse off and put on a good show.’

“At the end of the day, it’s (Dancing With The Stars) an entertainment programme, and it’s not life or death.”

On the night, the top score from the judges went to Eurovision singer Brooke Scullion and her professional dance partner Robert Rowinski who breezed through to next week’s final show along with actor Damian McGinty and his partner Kylee Vincent, and broadcaster Carl Mullan and his partner Emily Barker.

All four couples will battle it out for the coveted Glitterball trophy nextSunday.

Now back home and able to take stock of his own achievements, Kevin, as he has done from day one, heaped praise on all those who voted and supported him over the past two months.

A slice of that appreciation will be given back this Friday when he and Laura occupy the role of grand marshals in Cavan’s St Patrick’s Day parade before Kevin will likewise be in situ at the Arva parade.

“There will be a few dances to be had that night,” he joked. “But I doubt somehow they will be of the professional variety.”