THE six Roses with Cork connections will have fingers and toes crossed tonight when the 60th Rose of Tralee winner is crowned.

There are six women with Cork roots vying to be this year’s winner, including Cork Rose Stephanie McCarthy from Frankfield.

Abu Dhabi Rose Karen Cashman kicked off proceedings in the dome last night, charming the audience with her bubbly personality and singing talents.

Karen’s roots are in Carrigtwohill and she used her appearance last night to highlight the importance of organ donation.

Her sister Edel was the recipient of a liver transplant in the autumn of 2018, and Karen urged people to talk to their loved ones about carrying a donor card.

Sydney Rose Rebecca Mazza talked about her Kanturk connections.

Her great grandfather left Ireland for Australia and fought in the First World War. Rebecca paid a visit to the Kanturk farm where she still has relatives last week.

London Rose Laura Kennedy proudly talked about her Glenville roots, while West Canada Rose Sarah O’Shea grew up in Cork and graduated from CIT before moving to Calgary in 2015.

“Growing up in Cork there were two staple TV events that we would look forward to every year, these were the Rose of Tralee and the Late Late Toy Show,” she said.

Cork Rose Stephanie McCarthy also took to the stage last night.

The neuroscience graduate from UCC is currently studying for a masters in Pharmaceutical Technology and is bidding to become the first Cork Rose to win the title in 20 years.

Simone Hendrick Buchanan, originally from Cork, was the South Australia Rose.

Simone was born on Leeside but grew up in Dingle, Co Kerry, before moving to Australia.