It was week 2 of the Battles on Sunday night on RTÉ One as more contestants headed confidently through to the Live Knockouts on The Voice of Ireland.
A thrilled Nigel Connell, Eimear Crealey, David Idioh, Pauric O’Meara, Darragh Lee, Laura Doyle, Laura O’Conor and two STEALS Marc Egan and Sophie McDermott - equally delighted - made it through, as announced by Kathryn Thomas.
Sunday night’s first battle saw David Idioh from Limerick go head to head with Marc Egan from Roscommon from Team Bressie with their version of The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics, written by singer Paul Carrack to remember his late father.
Bressie described the song as an "incredibly powerful" number. "They were lucky I gave them that song, " he remarked during the show.
"Taking on the song and doing it justice you both did that so well done, " he commented when it came to passing verdict. "You both should be going through but the person that engages me the most is David, " Marc was available for a Steal and Kian snapped him up for his Team.
Team Kian’s Darragh Lee from Youghal and Andrew Berry from Wexford were next up and Kian had picked Stereophonics’ Dakota as their song. Darragh went through, while none of the coaches decided to steal Andrew for the live knockouts so he duly left the competition.
Una put Mags White and Nigel Connell together because of their confidence and vocal strength. Una chose John Newman’s Love Me Again for the pair and after their performance, took Nigel through.
Marc Egan made it through on a Steal to the Live Knockouts
In Kian’s second battle of the night, he paired Dublin ladies Laura Doyle with Cathy Moore, choosing Alanis Morrisette’s Thank U as their duet. Ultimately, Kian opted to take Laura through.
Rachel pitted Dubliner Laura O’Connor against Sophie McDermott singing Alive by Sia. Rachel decided to put Laura through to the Live Knockouts.
With Sophie available for a Steal, Una had learnt her lesson from last week and hit the button in time. “You were my favourite I am glad you are on my team, “ she told Sophie.
Una then put Eimear Crealey against Maria Cuche for U2’s All I Want is You. Eimear made it through to the Live Knockouts.
Then to the last battle of the night as Pauric O’Meara from Tipperary teamed up with Karen Louise from Swords. Bressie had chosen Have You Ever Seen the Rain, the old Creedence Clearwater Revival standard. Pauric was his choice in the end and Karen duly departed The Voice of Ireland.
The Voice of Ireland: hosts and jury oversaw week two of the Battles tonight
