Ryan Dolan wins Eurosong contest

Ryan Dolan has won this year's competition to represent Ireland in the 2013 Eurovision song contest.

His song Only Love Survives came first in the Eurosong competition on tonight's Late Late Show.

Dolan said of his win: "I am thrilled to have been chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for the song tonight - I really appreciate it.

"I'd like to thank my family, friends and my mentor Stuart for all their support over the last few months. It's such an honour to have been chosen to represent Ireland at Eurovision. I can't wait to perform in Malmo in May."

The five acts who competed were: Aimée (Crashing Down), Zoë Alexis Bohorquez (Fire), Ryan Dolan (Only Love Survives), Inchequin (Son Kez/The Last Time) and Kasey (Kiss Me).

They are mentored by Niall Mooney, Stuart O'Connor, Mark McCabe, Shay Healy and Mairéad Farrell respectively.

Former Eurovision winners Lordi also performed their winning Eurovision song Hard Rock Hallelujah.

Speaking ahead of the show, Mr Lordi said: "It's great to be here; it's so nice to be in Ireland again. We were about to come to Ireland's Eurovision competition last year, but our drummer Otus passed away just two weeks before that. Being here reminds us greatly of him."

This year's Eurovision takes place in Malmo, Sweden, with Ireland competing in the first semi-final on Tuesday May 14.

The final takes place on Saturday May 18.