DERRYLIN woman, Edel McBarron, will be flying the flag for Fermanagh tonight when she takes part in the Regional Finals for the Rose of Tralee in Portlaoise.

The 23-year-old, who was successfully selected as this year's Fermanagh Rose, will be up against more than 50 other Roses, both Irish and international, over the course of the four day event this Bank Holiday weekend.

Taking to the stage tonight (Friday), at the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel, she will be put through her paces by host, Daithi O'Se, while modelling her sparkling blue formal gown, sponsored by the Impartial Reporter.

This weekend will see Edel fulfilling a life-long dream when she represents her County in the international festival.

"I always watched the Rose of Tralee and thought it would be lovely to be a part of the competition. I have never done anything like this before -- it's completely new to me, but I'm really enjoying it and I want to be able to make the most of the experience," said the Kinawley Ladies player.

"The competition is stiff," she acknowledged, "But I'm going there with the perspective of just enjoying it all, taking it all in. For me it's more about meeting people, enjoying yourself and learning from everyone else.

"I have a lot of friends and family coming down to support me. And there's a bit of buzz about Derrylin too -- everyone has been so lovely about it." Stay with impartialreporter.com this weekend to find out if Edel has successfully made it through to the final of the Rose of Tralee in August.