Glory Olé-luia as soccer fans go classical

FANS of Cork City FC might be used to singing at the top of their voices but rarely would they grace the terraces of Turner’s Cross with Glory Alleluia.

However, last night’s half-time entertainment took on a distinctly cultural air with the crowds being treated to the talents of Irish operatic singer Nyle Wolfe.

After the first half had produced no goals in the top-of-the-table Eircom League of Ireland clash between Cork City and St Patrick’s Athletic, the fans probably needed a bit of a lift and the world-renowned baritone duly obliged, singing Glory Alleluia and My Way from the centre of the pitch at the interval.

Stephen Ryan, Cork City’s club promotions officer said the performance seemed to go down very well and the singer got a big cheer when he finished.

“I have been trying out various forms of entertainment this year, be it singers, dancers, gymnastics or jugglers but the most important thing is that I’ve tried to keep a local edge to it and have different artists every time,” he said.

“I decided on something operatic or musical as Cork over the years has had a tradition of opera or musical evenings taking place on a Sunday. As this is our first Sunday night fixture of the season I want to bring that Cork tradition in. I also noticed that there wasn’t anything on in terms of musicals or opera in Cork this weekend so it gave lovers of the music a chance to sample it and also get to see live professional football on their own doorstep for a fraction of the cost of going to see an opera.”

Unfortunately for the fans, the singing may have been the high point for some of them.

The match ended scoreless.