Estonia's victory was completely unexpected

Estonia won the competition for the first time, bringing next year's event to its capital, Tallinn.

The European Broadcasting Union introduced new rules earlier this month that make Ireland ineligible for entry next year.

The rules allow for only the top 15 countries placed in this year's competition to enter the following year.

Up until now, a country's participation depended on the average number of points won in the previous five competitions.

But the new rules mean that next year's Eurovision competition will be without its most successful participant nation ever.

Out until 2003

It had been hoped that because of Ireland's record seven winning entries in the competition since it began in 1956, that the disqualification could be overlooked.

Songwriter Pat Sheridan: Not despondent after disappointment

However, the new criteria means that Ireland will not be able to enter the competition until 2003.

Ireland's entry songwriter Mr Sheridan, a bus driver from Newry, County Down, said they had expected the song to come in the top five entries.

But he said he was not downhearted.

"There was pressure on us right away as soon as we go there, because Ireland has done so well previously.

"But we had a fabulous week touring and meeting the celebrities. As far as I'm concerned it is still a good song. This hasn't put me down. I've had harder knocks."

There is no place for amateurs at this level

Louis Walsh

However, Louis Walsh, manager of boy bands Westlife, and Boyzone and pop singer Samantha Mumba, said the blame lay with the Irish Republic's national broadcaster, RTE.

"I blame RT� who don't appear to have any interest in it any more," he said.

"They allow people to enter who have had no previous television exposure.

"Ireland's poor showing was not Mr O'Shaughnessy's fault, but there is no place for amateurs at this level.

Mr Walsh indicated that one of his acts had written a song for the competition, which he said "could have won it".

Hosts: Soren Pilmark and Natasja Crone presented the event

"Bryan McFadden of Westlife had written a song which would have been perfect," he said.

Mr Walsh has had three Eurovision winners since 1980.

Johnny Logan won the competition in 1981 and 1987 while Linda Martin took the accolade in 1988.

The new rules have not been applied to the UK, France, Germany and Spain as they are the four largest competing countries.

This year's British entry was its second worst ever after last year's worst showing, when Britain came 16th.

UK entrant Lindsay Dracass only managed to pick up 28 points, putting her in a disappointing 15th place.