Ireland's Call

"Ireland's Call" is a song used as a national anthem by some sports competitors representing the island of Ireland, originally and most notably the men's rugby union team. It was commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) for the 1995 World Cup, because a substantial minority around 20% of the IRFU's members are from Northern Ireland and the use of the anthem of the Republic of Ireland ("Amhrán na bhFiann") was considered inappropriate. While some all-island sports governing bodies use "Amhrán na bhFiann" in international competition (for example, the Golfing Union of Ireland and Irish Athletic Boxing Association) others do not, and many have followed the IRFU in adopting "Ireland's Call", including Hockey Ireland, the Irish Cricket Union, rugby league team, korfball team, and A1 Grand Prix team. The song has attracted some opposition, both on musical grounds and from Irish nationalists who would prefer "Amhrán na bhFiann". Journalist Malachy Clerkin wrote on its 20th anniversary, "It has run the gamut with a sceptical and often hostile public, from deep loathing to grudging acceptance to growing pockets of reasonably throated support." Rugby history From the Partition of Ireland until the 1930s, no flag or anthem was used at IRFU internationals. After objections from clubs in the then Irish Free State, a compromise was agreed to use an IRFU flag, with "Amhrán na bhFiann" at matches in the Free State, "God Save the King" at those in Northern Ireland, and no anthem at away matches. Ulster unionist players are not expected to sing "Amhrán na bhFiann". There were no senior internationals in Northern Ireland from 1954 to 2007. Des Fitzgerald declined to play a 1982 B international in Belfast as "God Save the Queen" would be played. Before a 1954 Five Nations match in Ravenhill, Belfast, players from the Republic refused to take the field until after "God Save the Queen" had finished. Cahir Healy negotiated a compromise whereby the Royal Salute was played instead of the full anthem, and promised that future internationals would be played in Dublin. The incident was hushed up. Playing all matches at Lansdowne Road suited the IRFU in any case, since gate receipts would be larger than at Ravenhill. Unionist opposition to "Amhrán na bhFiann" was strengthened on 25 April 1987, when an IRA roadside bomb killed judge Maurice Gibson and his wife, and also damaged a car carrying three of the senior squad from Belfast to Dublin for training.