Donna aims to represent Malta in Eurovision

Athlone's Donna McCaul is hoping for a sensational return to the Eurovision scene as she competes to represent Malta in the 2011 finals. And the singer has told the Westmeath Independent this week that she also hopes to represent Ireland at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest Speaking from Malta, where she will provide backing singing to J. Anvil in the Maltese National Song Contest this weekend, Donna said she hopes to be on stage at next year's Eurovision representing her home country and has already recorded two potential songs. Explaining how she got involved in a Maltese act this year, Donna said: “There has been a lot of talk about me representing Ireland on my own next year so this was really to get back into it and see how it goes. It's also a way to see how another country goes about it. When Joe and I did it, I was very young, but I've learned a lot since and I can bring back what I learn here.†She said she has already recorded two possible songs for the Irish entry to the 2012 Eurovision and has been working with a number of songwriters, including Niall Mooney, who wrote Niamh Kavanagh's song last year. Donna has been in Malta since last Friday and has appeared on TV there, where she performed a song. “The reaction I've been getting is really good. I'm getting a lot of positive feedback and you're in Malta and people recognise you!†she said. About 16 acts will battle it out this weekend to represent Malta at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Donna and Joseph McCaul represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in Kiev, Ukraine, having qualified through RTÉ's You're A Star programme They were forced to take part in the semi-final and failed to make the final.