The competition was fierce, but we reckon the judges were spot on when they selected Delorentos as the winners of the inaugural Irish National Student Music Prize.

Jangly in a Franz Ferdinand sort of way, but very much their own band when it comes to songwriting, the quartet won four days recording time in Grouse Lodge studios, a Beat 102-103 FM radio session and a spot in the UK Final.

Things are already going swimmingly for the band, with a string of high profile supports and a Marc Carolan produced demo in the bag.

We’re not ones to gossip, but there was much backstage tittle tattle about fellow finalists Angels Of Mons signing a management deal with Jazz Summers who also looks after Snow Patrol.

Another A&R personage was heard waxing lyrical about Ruth Cunningham, the winner of the 2004 Jacob’s Song Contest who’s currently Stateside writing with various Madonna and Will Smith associates.