Ó Muircheartaigh wades in:"If we object to the English national anthem then we should look at our own as well," said Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh on Pat Kenny's radio show yesterday morning.
Objections to God Save the Queen being played in GAA headquarters was always going to create a swirl of debate this week. Former Kerry All-Ireland winner JJ Barrett removed his father's medals from the Croke Park museum. British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain attempted to turn Saturday into a political circus with a symbolic gesture of apology for the Bloody Sunday murders of 1920. And so forth.
The veteran Gaelic Games commentator, described recently as the "Doyen of doyens", waded into the brewing conflict with a peaceful contribution. Ó Muircheartaigh knew the late Frank Burke, who marked Michael Hogan on Bloody Sunday, and noted the Dublin footballer would have no problem with Saturday's anthem being played.
The more militaristic connotations of God Save The Queen are not actually heard at international rugby and football matches. For example, here is verse two: "O Lord our God arise/Scatter her enemies/And make them fall/ Confound their politics/Frustrate their knavish tricks/On Thee our hopes we fix/Oh, save us all."
Amhrán na bhFiann, written by Peadar Kearney in 1907, only replaced God Save Ireland (which starts as it means to go on: "High upon the gallows tree swung the noble-hearted three,") in 1926. The Soldier's Song also contains some strong lyrics. Here's a translation of the final lines: "We're children of a fighting race/That never yet has known disgrace/And as we march, the foe to face/We'll chant a soldier's song."
O'Brien back for under-20s
Luke Fitzgerald remains on the injury list but Eric Elwood's Irish under-20s squad welcome back Leinster and UCD number eight Sean O'Brien just in time for the arrival of a ferocious English pack to Athlone.
Daniel Cipriani, currently playing fullback for Wasps, and Harlequins centre Jordan Turner Hall have been added to the English squad for Friday's potentially Grand Slam deciding encounter at Dubarry Park.
Coached by Nigel Redman (former international lock and current Sky Sports analyst) and Mark Mapletoft, England have already dismissed Scotland (31-5) and Italy (30-10).
RTÉ are televising the club international from Donnybrook on Friday night but will show highlights of this fixture on Against the Head next Monday night.
Apologies to Irish lock Conor McInerney who was noted as a St Mary's player against France. McInerney is currently part of the UCD rugby academy although he did captain St Mary's College SCT in 2005.
ENGLAND SQUAD:Forwards: Dave Attwood (Bristol Rugby), Charlie Beech (Northampton Saints), Matt Cox (Worcester Warriors), Hugo Ellis (London Wasps), Jack Forster (Gloucester Rugby), Phil Hoy (Northampton Saints), Tom Mercey (Saracens), Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), Chevvy Pennycook (Bristol Rugby), Alex Shaw (Leicester Tigers), Tom Standfield (London Irish), David Tait (Sale Sharks). Backs: Danny Care (NEC Harlequins), Daniel Cipriani (London Wasps), Ollie Dodge (Leicester Tigers), David Doherty (London Wasps), Sebastian Jewel (NEC Harlequins), Selorm Kuadey (Sale Sharks), Tom Parker (London Irish), Adam Powell (Saracens), Jordan Turner-Hall (NEC Harlequins), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Courtney returns
Irish referee Donal Courtney returns to the International arena for the first time since the TMO error at Twickenham on the opening weekend of the Six Nations.
You may remember Jonny Wilkinson clearly had a foot in touch for his 60th-minute try. Marius Jonker went upstairs to Courtney, who awarded the try.
Wilkinson's touchline conversion made it 37-13 and knocked the stuffing out of the Scots.
Courtney takes charge of the Scotland v Italy game in Murrayfield. Munster referee George Clancy is in the replay room.
DID YOU KNOW?In the event of a Six Nations game being abandoned after 60 minutes the result will stand.
Not that it matters but the score in Croke Park on the hour mark against France was 14-13 to Ireland.
More Six Nations rugby: Page 20
Weekend fixtures
FRIDAY: Under-20 International - Ireland v England, Dubarry Park (7.30).
Club challenge: Ireland v England, Donnybrook (7.05).
SATURDAY: Six Nations Championship - Scotland v Italy, Murrayfield (3.0); Ireland v England, Croke Park (5.30); France v Wales, Stade de France (8.0).
SUNDAY: Women's International: Ireland v England, Thomond Park (2.0).
