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Co Down choir and Omagh hurler through to BGT live semi-finals

St Patrick's Junior Choir from Drumgreenagh outside Rathfriland, who are through to the Britain's Got Talent live semi-finals
St Patrick's Junior Choir from Drumgreenagh outside Rathfriland, who are through to the Britain's Got Talent live semi-finals St Patrick's Junior Choir from Drumgreenagh outside Rathfriland, who are through to the Britain's Got Talent live semi-finals

A primary school choir from Co Down has appealed to viewers in Northern Ireland to "please vote" for them after they made it through to the live semi finals of ITV talent show, Britain's Got Talent.

St Patrick's Junior Choir from Drumgreenagh outside Rathfriland received a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon when they first appeared on the show with their rendition of Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know.

On Saturday night, viewers learned that the 39-strong choir had made it through to the show's live semi-finals.

The choir are one of 35 acts who will join the show's five golden buzzer acts who automatically qualified for the semi-finals this year.

Sorcha Lyness, principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, said the choir, made up of pupils aged from eight to 12, had worked hard to prepare for their live appearance on the show on Monday night.

"We already knew that we had a talented bunch here at St Patrick’s but it is so nice to have them recognised in this way," she said.

"The children throughout the school are so excited to be both performing on the night and, for some, to watch their best friends on the television on Monday night.”

A tweet on Sunday morning on behalf of the choir asked viewers to "Please watch and please vote".

The pupils will perform live tonight at 7.30pm. They will find out at 9.30pm if they have made it through to the show's finals

Meanwhile, Omagh hurler, Ryan Tracey (35), who smashed a world balloon modelling record on stage while blindfolded, is also through to the live semi-finals.

Mr Tracey, who works for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and hurls for Omagh St Enda’s, said he was over the moon to make the semi-finals.

"Cant believe it!! Life changing!! Thanks to everyone who has supported me, especially my wife Catherine, and Children Aoife, Rebecca, Aimee, Matthew, and Jesdica. It's all for you xx"

The father-of-five, who now lives in Beragh, added: "Hard work pays off!!Dream big and always believe. Bring on the Semi's".