A chara, - National anthems and national flags are strong political statements. Amhran na bhFiann and the Tricolour represent the political entity known as the Republic of Ireland. It is entirely inappropriate, and insensitive in the extreme, to use these symbols to represent the Irish rugby team.
The IRFU ("no politics here, we're a 32 county organisation") should, especially in these times, have at least a modicum of understanding for our Northern brethren, both players and supporters. These can hardly relish being represented by the Republic of Ireland trappings that adorn this "32 county team".
Regarding anthems, can anyone tell me why God Save The Queen should be played for the English team? Surely this is the UK anthem. If, it, must be played for England, why not for Scotland and Wales (and, ahem, Northern Irish players on the Ireland team)?
In future, at home internationals, are we going to miss the beautiful Flower of Scotland or the marvellous Land of my Fathers for the dreary God Save The Queen with its militancy (worse than Amhran na bhFiann) and triumphalism? Let England devise its own anthem, and let the Cross of St George replace the Union flag. Similarly for the Irish team, an appropriate anthem and flag should not be too hard to come by.
The professionalisation of rugby is a marvellous opportunity for the depoliticisation of it. Is that too much to hope for? - Is mise le meas,
The Batteries,
Athlone.