An early favourite has emerged to win this year's Rose of Tralee, according to Irish bookmaker BoyleSports.

Kilkenny Rose Sarah Kearns has emerged as the favourite with one bookmaker for this year's Rose of Tralee crown.

The competition begins this evening with the first half of the 32 hopefuls taking to the stage with Dáithí Ó Sé.

A flurry of bets with BoyleSports has seen Kearns become the 3/1 after initial odds of 12/1 last Friday.

Her key rival in the betting is Roscommon Rose Aisling McNeill who is the new second favourite after an influx of bets on Monday morning forced traders to slash her price from 14/1 to 10/3.

Galway Rose Rosie Burke and Chicago Rose Maggie Rose McEldowney are both priced at 13/2.

Offlay Rose Emma Kirwan could be the dark horse in the race for the crown after her odds were cut from 40/1 on Friday to 8/1 after a string of large bets.

Early favourite to win, Cork Rose Denise Collins is now priced at 12/1 to don the crown having initially been the front runner.

Aoife Heffron, PR Executive for BoyleSports said: “Just hours before the Roses take to the stage the betting has been sent into upheaval as punters rush to get behind their pick for the crown.

“Kilkenny and Roscommon are head-to-head for the title of Rose of Tralee with Kilkenny the narrow favourite at 3/1.”

“The Offlay Rose is most certainly one to watch after numerous large bets came in over the weekend and Monday morning that saw her shorten right in from 40/1 to 8/1, placing her within the top five in the betting.”

Outright Betting

Kilkenny Rose – Sarah Kearns 3/1

Roscommon Rose – Aisling McNeill 10/3

Galway Rose – Rosie Burke 13/2

Chicago Rose – Maggie Rose McEldowney 13/2

Offaly Rose – Emma Kirwan 8/1

South Carolina Rose – Erin Moran 10/1

Ottawa Rose – Sarah Griffin 12/1

Cork Rose – Denise Collins 12/1

Melbourne Rose – Meghan Griffin 16/1

London Rose – Emma Murphy-O'Connor 16/1

Louth Rose – Megan Ferguson 18/1

Newcastle/Gateshead Rose – Aisling Murray 20/1

Cavan Rose – Lisa Reilly 20/1

Abu Dhabi Rose – Dearbhladh Walsh 22/1

Monaghan Rose – Pamela Allen 28/1

Kildare Rose – Meabhdh O'Sullivan 50/1

North Caroline Rose – Maigan Kennedy 50/1

Wicklow Rose – Jane Harrison 66/1

Newfoundland & Labrador Rose – Anna Murphy 66/1

Kerry Rose – Danielle O'Sullivan 66/1

Queensland Rose – Jess Logan 66/1

Longford Rose – Caroline Doyle 66/1

Philadelphia Rose – Brigid Gallagher 80/1

Ohio Rose – Kathleen O'Donnell 100/1

Texas Rose – Katherine O'Sullivan 100/1

Germany Rose – Kari Foss 100/1

South Australia Rose – Rochelle Melino 100/1

New Zealand Rose – Hannah Greally 100/1

Kentucky Rose – Morgan Loy 100/1

Sydney Rose – Brianna Parkins 100/1

New Orleans Rose – Shannon Burke 100/1

Scotland Rose – Blathnaid Loughran 100/1