Irish Crooner wins the Idol

Irish ozzie makes goodDamien Leith may not be an Australian citizen, but the nation has adopted the Irishman as its own, crowning him this year's Australian Idol.

In one of the closest competitions in the history of the Network Ten program, the chemist and father of one beat Northern Territory schoolgirl Jessica Mauboy in tonight's finale held at the Sydney Opera House.

Scooping victory in the fourth series, an overwhelmed Leith said winning was going to take "a long time to sink in".

"Definitely the night of my life; it has been absolutely incredible," said the emotional 30-year-old at a press conference following his victory. "I am humbled to have had this to have happened to me."

Leith hails from Newtown in Sydney and is originally from Ireland's County Kildare, south-west of Dublin.

"I have found the last 10 to 15 minutes hard to take in ... very emotional."