PLASTIC POP usually dominates the charts – but not in ways like this.

The second-last Irish singles chart before Christmas was published yesterday, and Limerick duo Rubberbandits appear to have a massive chance of scooping the Christmas Number One slot in next week’s chart, having shot straight in at number 2 in this week’s rankings.

The single was outsold only by the debut from X Factor winner Matt Cardle, whose track ‘When We Collide’ grabbed the Number One spot. Both songs were new entries to the chart, though Cardle had already occupied the top spot alongside the rest of the X Factor finalists.

Their charity single, a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’, had topped the chart the previous week.

The instant success of the Rubberbandits’ track – which is being championed as an alternative festive chart-topper by RTÉ, though the duo themselves say they are not interested by the accolade – means there is a significant chance that the X Factor winner may fail to top the Christmas charts in Ireland for the first time since 2005.

On that occasion, Shayne Ward was kept off the top spot by Mario Rosenstock’s mimickery of Roy Keane, singing Will Young’s ‘Leave Right Now’.

Though neither Cardle nor the Rubberbandits had their single appear in physical shops until late in the week, download sales were evidently enough to shoot the tracks to the top of the charts.

It will remain difficult, though, to predict which of the two tracks is likely to take the Christmas Number One spot before the final chart is announced on December 24.

Because sales before yesterday (Friday) did not count for this week’s sales, any grassroots campaign to crown the Rubberbandits as the Christmas tune may already have peaked, though sales of Cardle’s single – which went onto iTunes on Sunday night – may have hit their peak too.

The Limerick troupe have been top of the iTunes singles download chart since Wednesday; their appearance on the Late Late Show last night may, however, expose them to a new audience to boost their sales this week.