43 Comments

• Seanmor | Mar 17, 2012, 10:48 PM EDT

  pilib04:Natives of all Ireland are Irish citizenz, but those living north of the British-imposed Border aren't allowed to vote in Dáil elections. However, in some sports sport, one Irish team represents the whole irish nation in international competition. This is true of rugby, cricket and hockey. Also, Northern boxers have represented Ireland at Olyimpic Games. In all cases every attempt shoul be made to make Northern players, including those who consider themselves British, feel at home in any Irish team.

• ciaradexy | Feb 07, 2012, 06:05 AM EST

  Play both anthems. Rugby fans are a respectful bunch of people and I was proud to be at the Ireland V England match in Croker a few years back with Irish and English friends. It was a brilliant day and an amazing feeling to be there. The atmosphere was electric. The bigots can go to their Celtic, Liverpool and Man Utd matches and the rest of us will support our lads.

• cillowen | Oct 30, 2011, 09:15 PM EDT

  an anthem make-up for a dysfunctional divvied up island, a porpourri of the sick coming together for what, pride. me ass. laughing stock of planet earth.

• pilib04 | Oct 09, 2011, 06:42 PM EDT

  Perhaps we should try to be a little more inclusive. If all of Ireland is part of the team, the anthem needs to represent all of Ireland. I thought the 4 Provinces flag was a nice touch. I would be much happier about getting the vote and then maybe we can talk anthems. Right now 1.7 million Irish born, Irish bred and residents of the island of Ireland cannot vote in Irish elections which was supposed to have been addressed indirectly by the Good Friday Agreement. Think this might be addressed before anthems???

• ballyhip | Oct 09, 2011, 11:28 AM EDT

  Downunderyan, if you count golf as a representative sport, Irish amateur golfers ALL belong to the Golfing Union of Ireland if they want a handicap. It represents ALL of the Provinces under one body. Here is a recent statement from them when publicizing the Home Internationals as played in Sligo, "Since that championship’s inception, spectators have been witness to many memorable moments, delivered by the greatest Irish players of their time, from Cecil Ewing, to Joe Carr, to John Burke, and in the recent past, among others, Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry." If you know your golfers, you know who is from the south and who is from the north but the GUI is blind. I was a member of Carrick on Shannon while living in Boyle one winter.

• GeorgeDillon | Oct 09, 2011, 02:42 AM EDT

  The Irish rugby fans are such hypocrites. They refuse to play Ireland's national anthem, yet they brandish the Irish Flag. You've no right to wave the Tricolor, you creeps, you've just told us your team doesn't represent Ireland! Go Wales! At least the Welsh know their anthem, and sing it beautifully.

• Downunderyan | Mar 19, 2011, 09:45 PM EDT

  Rugby and Boxing are the only two All-Ireland representative sports. However, the people from Northern Ireland are not going to be swayed towards peace and unity by a pathetic excuse for an anthem any more than the athletes themselves will get a 'lift' from it to improve their game, to stir the athletes' spirits before an engagement. It's a 'downer' not an 'upper'.

• Liamkeyes | Mar 04, 2011, 11:37 AM EST

  I have the utmost respect for Tim Pat Coogan and I agree with him here. We must keep going forward for the Peace that has eluded us for so long.

• Gearoid4 | Mar 03, 2011, 07:13 PM EST

  'Ireland's Call' is a dirge too far to me. We need a more uplifting anthem to lift the spirits of both team and nation. The terrific 'Mise Eire' written by the late, great composer Seán Ó Riada comes to mind. I always thought that this piece would make a great alternative to 'Amhran na bhFiann' as Ireland's national anthem.

• Setanta13 | Feb 26, 2010, 05:07 AM EST

  you wouldn't ever be shoulder to shoulder with me - I go to rugby games, I support Irish rugby you obviously don't. I tried to post an article from the Indo but this page wouldn't sustain it so I'll post the link. People like you fail to understand the passion & pride we have for Irish rugby, something that overshadows policial and cultural divides on this island. I've been 'shoulder to shoulder' with lads from all over and I wouldn't trade a single memory for anything especially not a trite political viewpoint. I wish you could just once feel the surge of passion when the lads take the park they could play the mickey mouse clubhouse song - it wouldn't matter cause if anyone of us in the crowd could be out there, we would be. http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/look-no-further-for-rugby-heaven-on-earth-685975.html BTW I find your distorted view extremely offensive but thankfully I know you're not representative of anything to do with rugby - and I live in Cork, so yet again your assumptions are as wide of the mark as your views on sport. So did you google SA & sport - find anything interesting ? LOL

• SineadN | Feb 25, 2010, 11:43 AM EST

  Hi Setanta - you seem to have got a bit hot under the collar there. That is quite a rant. Calm down. I see you have just resorted to insults now. I hope you are not representative of NI rugby supporters, I'm not sure I'd want to be standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with you.

• Setanta13 | Feb 25, 2010, 10:26 AM EST

  People of the ROI funding rugby - you prat Ha ha ha. Re socialism the only socialism you seem to know is national socialism !The roots of socialism LOL if perhaps you understood the all inclusive nature of socialism as opposed to jingoist flag waving you'd be well on your way to enlightenment. IOC rules/guidelines are used for most major international events it's nothing to do with being in the olympics, you fool. So you're a rugby fan because your brother went to the same school as a rugby player, you really are pathetically trying to justify yourself ! Please don't tell me who sang what song and when, put your soap box away. And yes times have changed a lot, self centered arseholes like you think they can get away with all sorts of half witted comments on something you know about and try and put spin on it to make it into a political issue. LOL SA sport !!!! you're a beauty, away back to google and check it out LOL So if I issue a statement demanding that 'Singing in the rain' becomes the IRFUs new anthem will it be banner news here ? or if I want all the Aussies who've played for Ireland to be given their polical right to have Waltzing Matilda as the IRFUs anthem will you back me ? BTW how many times did Dick take the field for Ireland, perhaps you could ask your friend to ask Dicks' sister to ask Dick ????

• SineadN | Feb 25, 2010, 08:34 AM EST

  Belfast Dave - is not "ignoring political divisions" = ignoring the elephant that is in the room. Facts are there are two states involved in this Ireland team. I'm all for both being recognised. Why do you not want to recognise that the reality is there are two states on this island?

• SineadN | Feb 25, 2010, 07:38 AM EST

  Why I know the details about Dick Spring's caps is because he was in the same class as one of my brothers in Roscrea (a rugby school) and Dick's sister used to share a house with a friend of mine when they were in college. As for your Slovakian venture - I bet your team will not be competing in the Olympics (and it will not be due to being unable to reach the standard required). Do you really think Wales & Scotland wouldn't prefer to send their own teams to the Olympics? Why do you think there is all the fuss about the UK football team at the next Olympics? I don't know what brand of socialism you have studied, but I suggest you look up the Labour Pary's brand and see where its roots are before making daft comments about Dick Spring being a socialist which somehow means that this ideology precludes him from wanting 'Ireland's Call'. For the record the Soldiers' Song was sung by the volunteers in the Irish Citizens Army which was the military wing of the Irish Labour Party in the 1913 lockout in Dublin. The interview exists ok - to help you in your research it was on sometime around the Ireland v England game in Croke Park11am-1pm (RTE Radio 1, Marion Finucane does the slot now - they usually have guests in to comment on Sunday newspapers etc and Dick was one of the guests that day). He actually said that he wrote to the IRFU requesting them to not introduce "Ireland's Call". PS - sport has often been used for the betterment of society - boycotting apartheid in SA is just one example (and of course the very obvious way that Mandela used sport to unite SA). Your comments about I being an "outsider in our sport" says a lot. Times have changed a bit. If the people of the ROI are prepared to put their hands in their pocket to fund rugby on the island of Ireland, its as much their sport as 'yours'.

• BelfastDave | Feb 25, 2010, 06:52 AM EST

  Irish rugby is represented internationally by both the anthem of Irelands Call and the IRFU flag (which represents the four provinces and by doing so is NOT the tricolour). Neither the tricolour or the Soldiers song have the support of all the people of Ireland, whereas both of these do, something almost unique in our society. Rugby in Ireland ignores political divisions, trying to suggest it should change is going backwards

• Setanta13 | Feb 25, 2010, 04:11 AM EST

  Sinead - please behave yourself, I know a wee bit about socialism and you obviously don't - but then again this is about sport NOT politics but you can't get that into your head can you ! I only remember Dick playing once - I'm sure with your superior knowledge of rugby you'll be able to google it. I'll try and find this interview but to be honest I don't think it exists. BTW you also have no knowledge of IOC at all and yet again I have some experience of this having gone through the hoops getting an Irish representative team together for an international competition in Slovakia (under the auspices of the IOC). Please refrain from showing your ignorance again - you're an outsider in our sport and your input is unwelcome and unasked for, respect is something you obviously only have a passing interest in - and only when it can be used as a stick. And don't attribute comments to me that I haven't made - another nasty habit from the myopic few.

• SineadN | Feb 24, 2010, 12:55 PM EST

  Setanta - I think he played 3 games for Ireland (which was a miracle that a Munster man would get one game, let alone 3 - they must have been badly stuck at the time). Point is I'm making is that Spring would know all about Irish rugby and he would have played when the troubles were at their worst. He was also one of the architects of the Peace Process. He spoke about the anthem in an interview just prior to the first Ireland v England game in Croke Park on RTE Radio. And no Setanta, he wasn't playing to the gallery looking for votes as he was well retired from politics at that stage. And Setanta - I don't think you have much clue about socialism! Re Olympics - you have to be a recognised country to get to the olympics and that is why its a UK team and not individual home nations. However, most these teams compete in other competitions, not just the Olympics. The ice hockey team (a recent sport in Ireland) even have orange on their clothing. Some of you could learn a thing about respect from the young fellow from the Sandy Row who actually carried the tricolour (I'd be pretty sure he wouldn't have been forced to do that!).

• Setanta13 | Feb 24, 2010, 12:28 PM EST

  I'm glad you appreciate that you are a fool in respect of this. Dick Spring played one game and was dropped - a bit like the ball that went to him, and yes if he advocated something that would effectively split the team he was spouting devise drivel.Can you please refer me to Dicks' piece advocating the ROI Anthem to be adopted as the IRFUs 'song' ? If I remember correctly was Dick not a labour man ? hardly a socialist outlook !

• redhanded | Feb 24, 2010, 12:28 PM EST

  SineadN - You've answered your own question by pointing out that he was a politician. He was playing to the gallery of his own voters. No votes to be gained and plenty to be lost by saying that A na B should not be played. He was also a shite full back. I still remember when he dropped the ball in front of the posts and lost a game against Wales. Thankfully he was dropped after that and never selected again.

• redhanded | Feb 24, 2010, 12:16 PM EST

  SineadN - the Olympics are different. The IOC only recognise Olympic associations of individual nations and that forces the split between the Republic of Ireland and GB & NI Olympic teams. Athletes from N Ireland can and do opt for either team. The IRB and a number of other sports do not do this. Hence rugby has teams that are part of countries and teams covering more than one country.

• SineadN | Feb 24, 2010, 12:12 PM EST

  Setanta - I'm not the only fool. One Dick Spring, former Foreign Minster for ROI (during the time of the Peace Process) and former Full Back for Ireland said much the same thing as I have (that AnaB should be played at all games). Bearing in mind he was one of the architects of the Peace Process and Good Friday Agreement, do you think he was selling devisive drivel when he said that?

• Setanta13 | Feb 24, 2010, 12:00 PM EST

  SineadN from what you write I can only assume you are a rugby fan from way back, and with your in depth knowledge and understanding of the players mentallity you are either a player yourself or a prominent sports psychologist... Ever hear the term keep politics out of sport ? You really are a fool. As Irish rugby players & supporters we don't care what people like you think - when everything was in flames the only non-secterian, cross border sport was rugby, always was always will be. So go somewhere else to sell your devisive drivel.

• SineadN | Feb 24, 2010, 11:59 AM EST

  Redhanded - I'm well aware that it is not an ROI team (though in fairness, its the ROI that funds it by providing stadia and state grants which keeps the IRFU afloat). The Ireland team is a combination of NI & ROI so lets have two anthems. btw, Boxing, Ice Hockey (and all the olympic sports) use AnaB. Indeed, I believe a young boxer from the Sandy Row carried the tricolour into a competition when he was captaining the team - he also learned the words of An na B and sang it proudly. Personally I would have no problem with GSTQ being played alongside AnaB. After all the UK flag flies in Dublin alongside the tricolour for EU meetings etc. The problem with GSTQ is not that it would be inappropriate, but that the Welsh & Scots would boo it! You (and England) need your own anthem.

• redhanded | Feb 24, 2010, 11:43 AM EST

  SineadN - can you not get your head around that the team does not represent the Republic of Ireland? It is more than that. Ireland has had players born in other countries like England, NZ, S Africa who aren't citizens of the Republic of Ireland. Should they have their anthems played as well? Or only if they cry? If you want an anthem that represents N Ireland, then what about God Save the Queen? But not many think that would be appropriate it. Like it or not, if you want an all-Ireland institution like the Ireland rugby team, there needs to be compromise, and that compromise means A na B does not represent the team. By the way - cricket is the same. Its an all-Ireland sport and they don't use A na B.

• SineadN | Feb 24, 2010, 11:28 AM EST

  redhanded - can you not get your head around the fact that teams are made up of people, who have a country/nationality. Think of John Hayes' tears during A na B - he is getting his 100th cap this weekend - and his anthem won't be played. We all know that the Ireland situation is unusual (but you can't compare us to the Lions - they don't compete in 6Ns, RWCs - they are a touring side). No one is trying to deny NI's involvement in the team - you should have your anthem, and please let us have ours.

• redhanded | Feb 24, 2010, 11:16 AM EST

  SineadN - they aren't playing for their country because the Ireland rugby team isn't a republic of Ireland team - it is made up from two countries. Are the Irish players playing for the UK when they play for the British & Irish Lions? No... because that team is also made up from different countries. The IRFU has selected Irelands Call to represent the entire team. A na b just represents part of it so it isn't appropriate to represent the team.

• SineadN | Feb 24, 2010, 11:10 AM EST

  redhanded- they are playing for their country (which happens to be the ROI). Their national anthem is A na bhF. I'm sure they would be very happy to stand for a NI anthem out of respect to the NI born players & supporters (as I would be too) if there was one - I can't understand why you don't use the anthem you use in the Commmonwealth Games). I don't know what you are rabbiting on about meeting the Queen. Of course we understand how much the Queen means to NI players. Anyway, shouldn't the NI born players be proud to meet Mary McAleese - she is from Belfast, isn't she?

• redhanded | Feb 24, 2010, 10:57 AM EST

  SineadN: the players know full well who they are playing for - and it isn't a Republic of Ireland team. After all, when Tommy Bowe, Jamie Heaslip, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and more met the Queen last year following their Grand Slam win, O'Driscoll said: "I think the players from the Republic understand what the Queen means as much as the northern players do to the southern players when they meet Mary McAleese. "So it's a reciprocation and an understanding and it's another opportunity to be patted on the back, so that can't be a bad thing," he said. "

• SineadN | Feb 24, 2010, 10:51 AM EST

  Redhanded - tell John Hayes, Tommy Bowe, Jamie Heaslip, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy etc. that they are playing for a rugby union! Brian O'Driscoll does not captain the 4 Provinces of Ireland. They put up with the situation - but perhaps you might show some respect to who these players are and who they represent in the same way as respect has been shown to NI players. Irishrugy - Its the anthem of the PEOPLE of the republic of Ireland (Irish nation). There is a difference.

• redhanded | Feb 24, 2010, 08:54 AM EST

  More ignorance from kickstar. "If you put on an Irish jersey then you are part of the Irish Team" No you aren't. You are representing the Irish Rugby Football Union that is made up from 4 branches representing the provinces of Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster.

• whiteknight | Feb 24, 2010, 08:51 AM EST

  I think that Ireland's Call would be a great addition to All-Ireland Final's Day at Crokers...

• redhanded | Feb 24, 2010, 08:47 AM EST

  kickstar - you are just displaying your total ignorance about rugby. What do you mean "changing from 'Amhran na bhFiann' to Ireland's Call"? Amhran na bhFiann has only been played at Ireland home games in the Republic of Ireland. Amhran na bhFiann isn't played at Ireland home games in Belfast and Amhran na bhFiann has *never* been used for Ireland away games. Prior to the introduction of Irelands Call, Ireland did not play an anthem for away games.

• Setanta13 | Feb 24, 2010, 08:21 AM EST

  Take a look at the picture you put up with this rubbish article 3 out of 9 are Ulstermen - not that it seems to matter if anyone from the north feels insulted or overlooked, just along as some has been flag waver gets to stir up the half-wits who know nothing about rugby in Ireland. Go for the lowest common denominator every time - why not just slip into a nice little black shirt and complete the outfit. |Here's an idea, feck off and leave our game alone we've managed very well without your input for quite some time. coogan not getting the limelight anymore ? awww poor wee man. Take a look at the make up of Irish teams from the 40s and then make a statement on which song should be sung - and by the by I certainly don't need any song to get ready for an English game., and the songs we used to sing might not go down so easily with all you pc butt-monkeys. Leave the rugby to the players it's a hard enough game without limelight seekers rtying to muscle in.

• irishrugby | Feb 24, 2010, 06:51 AM EST

  ok first off dont get me started on that scumbag Brennan second off are you having a laugh !?!?!? if god save the queen had not been sung at croke park it would have been a rather large slap at the peace process the reason the soldiers song is not sung at away matches ??? it is not the irfu's anthem!! ok so for a united irish rugby team which it is...... the words Our Country's call From the four proud provinces of Ireland Ireland, Ireland Together standing tall Shoulder to shoulder We'll answer Ireland's call From the mighty Glens of Antrim From the rugged hills of Galway From the walls of Limerick And Dublin Bay From the four proud provinces of Ireland seem to fit in exceptionally well when you have half a grain of sense in your head!!! an then look at the united song of the soilders song...... It was used as marching song by the Irish Volunteers and was sung by rebels in the General Post Office (GPO) during the Easter Rising of 1916 Derrylass627 its not the Irish national anthem its the national anthem of the republic of ireland!!!!

• kickstar | Feb 23, 2010, 10:42 AM EST

  If you put on an Irish jersey then you are part of the Irish Team And as such should respect that fact and the Nations Anthem. It was a totally PC response which is so prevalent in our society today that resulted in the changing from 'Amhran na bhFiann' to Ireland's Call, And the sooner it is changed back to 'Amhran na bhFiann' again the better.And whoever it was that changed it should be sentenced to about 6 months hard labour in the Joy..

• derbinma | Feb 22, 2010, 09:11 PM EST

  It's easy as an Irish-American to say the Irish should sing Ireland's Call but he question is: "What does Ireland (Republic & Northern Ireland)really want?". Whenever I have heard in gaelic Amhran na bhFiann I have moved to tears. Only the American anthem has moved me to tears in the same way.

• BelfastDave | Feb 22, 2010, 12:10 PM EST

  As both Northern Irish and a life-time rugby fan, I have always taken pride in the fact that rugby in Ireland is non-political. As respected as Pat Coogan may be as a republical historian, I dont think his comments reflect the views of rugby fans either north or south of the border. Trevor Brennan the "former international player" was sentenced to a life ban from playing rugby for attacking a supporter after being sin binned during a game - not exactly a respected source in rugby circles.

• littleluvnut | Feb 22, 2010, 12:03 PM EST

  Fear not people....Celtic Thunder sings this fantastic song and it will always be known as a National Anthem!

• nancyjeanne | Feb 22, 2010, 11:04 AM EST

  I love the song "Ireland's Call", but hope to hear what people in Ireland think about this.

• Derrylass627 | Feb 22, 2010, 10:34 AM EST

  I think Pat Coogan's right. If it's Team Ireland then the Irish National Anthem should be the one sung.

• irishwxman | Feb 22, 2010, 10:00 AM EST

  I like Ireland's Call too, but I see nothing wrong with singing Amhran na bhFiann at the games instead. I'm sure the NI players would not mind.

• killowen | Feb 22, 2010, 09:59 AM EST

  Ireland's call for continued apartheid mouthing to appease Henry VIII's strange brand of chaps.

• Helen Ferone | Feb 22, 2010, 09:29 AM EST

  Irelands Call is a great song and should still be sung at the games. Why do people make mountains out of molehills, and give vent to everything. Don't you have anything else to do? I live in the states and even I know this song, (and like it).