[Red Moon]

Eoghan 'amazed' at home support

X Factor star Eoghan Quigg almost brought the house down last week when he made a surprise visit to his school during a brief visit home.

Stopping by St. Patrick’s College for just over an hour, vice principal Gearoid Rafferty said the whole school was “ecstatic" at seeing their celebrity pupil.

Eoghan filmed scenes with his music teacher, Raymond Kelly, his fellow form class students, and his team mates that won the Ulster Hurling U16 Vocational Schools Championship for hit TV show.

"Eoghan hasn't changed a bit. He's still the same Eoghan. What you see is what you get," Mr. Rafferty told the 'Journal'.

"He's the type of lad that you would think, 'If he was my own you'd be proud of him.'"

Eoghan also made sure he thanked all of the students for voting for him.

"That was something he really wanted to do," said Mr. Rafferty.

"At the end of the day he's one of them."

Mr. Raffery said Eoghan deserves all the success that comes his way.

"I hope it all works out for him. He's a genuine young lad, very likeable and he's following his dream and, as teachers, that's what we encourage our students to do."

Outside the school gates, and along Dungiven’s Main Street were fans eager to catch a glimpse of Eoghan, pose for photos and sign autographs.

‘Moral support’

Although he found it “weird” at seeing his face plastered on buildings and car flags, the 16-year-old said it made all the reports of support real.

“It showed how much moral support I have at home. It’s amazing,” Eoghan told the ‘Journal’.

Among those who met Eoghan was Limavady Mayor, Brenda Chivers, who votes for him each week.

“I told him congratulations and told him we were all proud of him and to keep it up,” she said of meeting Eoghan.

“He’s so down to earth and seems to be taking it all in his stride.”

Source: Derry Journal