Voice of Ireland finalist Shane McLaughlin was left dazed and confused after a surfing trip with judge Kian Egan went dramatically wrong today.
Shane comes back to himself after surfing accident
The former Westlife star joined Downings man Shane on Marble Hill beach near Dunfanaghy to shoot a television clip for this Sunday’s series finale.
But Shane, 28, had to come out of the water after being struck in the side of the head by his own surfboard.
Shane told Donegal Daily “The board just came back around and hit me in the side of the head.
“I thought I had been split but I couldn’t find any blood.
“I was dazed and confused. It took me about five minutes to come back around to myself. I didn’t feel well at all.
“I wasn’t actually knocked out but I went under the water for a long time. I was worried for a while and I had to come out of the water,” he said.
Shane hadn’t surfed since last November and had been a little rusty in the water.
Two of his brothers, Letterkenny-based priest Fr Eamonn McLaughlin and another brother Desmond, looked on anxiously as he came out of the water trying to catch his breath.
Kin and Shane head out to catch some waves at Marble Hill
Shane didn’t need medical attention but wasn’t able to get back into the eater to surf.
Kian, a veteran surfer, managed to ride a number of waves before coming in.
The Sligo singer said he genuinely believes that Shane is the dark horse in the final and could go all the way.
“Shane has got stronger and stronger in the competition and if he can repeat his performance from last week then he is in with a real chance and could go all the way.
“I’m delighted that I have Shane and Kelly left but any of the finalists could win it because there’s a lot of talent there,” he said.
Shane said he is delighted how his campaign has gone and making it to the final.
“Things are really shaping up for me now and I feel like I am just about to peak now.
“People know that I am only reaching my best now and I’m planning to give it all this Sunday.
“But I need the votes and I would ask people to get texting during the show,” he said.
Shane was soon back to himself after his close shave on the waves and even invited Kian back to his house to meet his mum and dad and the rest of the McLaughlin family.
The Brothers McLaughlin – Fr Eamonn, Shane and Desmond McLaughlin pictured at Marble Hill today
Kian and Shane on the waves