Aimee (17) battles to be our youngest Eurovision singer - while studying for Leaving

Dana was just 18 when she sang All Kinds Of Everything, and Jedward had the bounding energy of 19-year-olds on the Eurovision stage.

But 17-year-old Aimee Fitzpatrick, from Swords, will be facing into Leaving Cert exams when the Eurovision comes around.

However she says her teachers and friends in Loreto College in Swords are helping her to strike a balance between studying and rehearsals.

"My school has been really supportive and the teachers have been great with all the work I have to do," she said.

Aimee was picked by DJ Mark McCabe to sing the song Crashing Down, penned by Robert Grace, as the entry for Eurosong, which will be broadcast live on the Late Late Show.

She faces stiff competition from the other four acts – Shay Healy-mentored group Inchequin, Mairead Farrell's act, Kasey, Stuart O'Connor's act Ryan Dolan, and Zoe Bohorquez.

Nickname

Aimee says: "I would love to do music as a degree. But I have never sung for my school, ever. My friends call me 'superstar' as a nickname now," she added.

Aimee has been singing and dancing since she was three.

The young starlet has travelled across Europe and even to Los Angeles with her singing and dancing talents.

"I've been singing since I was a baby but I never sang in public until my brother's 18th birthday," she said. "My brother convinced me to do it, he said 'I'll give you €20' if you sing. I still haven't got the €20! But it gave me the confidence to go on and perform in public."

One Direction star Niall Horan has already thrown his weight behind Zoe Bohorquez, tweeting: "Ireland! A friend of mine @ZoboOfficial from mgar (Mullingar) is in the running to represent Ireland at the Eurovision! Please check that vid out and vote."

The endorsement resulted in nearly 100,000 plays for the song Fire online.

Aimee's mentor Mark said that it wasn't fair, but that it was "the world we live in".

"Perhaps RTE need to rethink how they stage the competition in future, given that social media now plays such a huge role."

Aimee inherited her love of performance from her sister and mum. Her mum Tina and sister Nikki (30) are directors at a dancing and performing arts academy – Backstreet Dance Studios.

The contestants for Eurosong will perform on the Late Late Show next Friday.

clairemurphy@herald.ie