Rugby bosses reject unionists' anthem argument

Ireland’s rugby authorities tonight rejected calls by unionists to have God Save the Queen played at an international match in Belfast.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is staging a game at Ravenhill Road in south Belfast next year but ruled out demands from the Ulster Unionist Party’s Michael McGimpsey for a rethink of a decision to not play God Save the Queen.

The Phil Coulter-penned Ireland’s Call will be played instead.

A spokesman for the IRFU said: “The policy of the IRFU is that when we have games outside the territory of the Irish Republic then we play Ireland’s Call. That policy has been supported by the Ulster branch of the IRFU.”

Ireland are playing Italy in August 2007 in Belfast because alternative grounds in the south will not be available.

They usually play at Lansdowne Road.

Before fixtures in the Republic, one verse of the Irish national anthem is played as well as Ireland’s Call.

Ireland’s Call was adopted in 1995 for all games outside the Republic to help neutralise sectarian and national division.

Derry-born Phil Coulter composed the song because he said he loved the sound of a number of Irish accents singing together.

Former Ulster Unionist sports minister Mr McGimpsey said God Save the Queen should be played in Belfast.

“I would urge the Irish rugby bosses to use their common sense when it comes to deciding what anthems should be played at different venues,” he said.

“The Irish rugby team is an all-Ireland team with players from across Northern Ireland. It is only right and proper therefore that for international fixtures in Belfast our national anthem is played.

“When the Irish team plays in Belfast they are playing at home. In Belfast the home anthem is God Save the Queen. It really is that simple.”

Before 1995, God Save the Queen had been played at Irish rugby matches in Belfast, and the Irish anthem in Dublin.

No song was played at international games until the introduction of Ireland’s Call.