Odds shorten on Laois Rose to win International Rose of Tralee 2023

The Laois Rose is becoming a favourite to be crowned the 2023 International Rose of Tralee.

Bookies odds are shortening on New Yorker turned Cullohill local Sinead Dowd to win the title for the first ever time for Laois.

She is now priced at 8/1, jumping up from 15/1 a few days ago, with the 32 Roses now on an Irish tour to Tralee for the televised final on Tuesday, August 22.

Sinead Dowd (front centre) among the 32 Rose of Tralee finalists with presenters Daithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas. Photo: Andres Poveda

Teacher Sinead, 25, who won the Laois Rose Selection last spring, took the brave step to move from New York aged 17 to live with her Laois relatives, such was her love of Ireland.

The favourite to win is Mayo Rose Kate Heneghan at 11/4, while the London and Sydney Roses are also frontrunners, with Ladbrokes making Amy Gillen and Aoife Butler 4/1 shots respectively.

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Nicola McGeady is with Ladbrokes.

"Rose of Tralee fever is in full swing and while the money is behind Mayo right now, we have also seen support for Laois Rose Sinead Dowd. As this point, it’s impossible to say who will win the coveted crown," she said.

11/4 Mayo – Kate Heneghan. 4/1 London – Amy Gillen. 4/1 Sydney – Aoife Butler. 5/1 Kerry – Kelsey Lang McCarthy. 11/2 Carlow – Caoimhe Deering. 8/1 Laois – Sinead Dowd. 11/1 Ottawa – Aoife McDonald. 12/1 Meath – Lane Galvin. 12/1 New York – Roisin Wiley. 16/1 Clare – Aisling O’Connor