The Moore the merrier

DONNCHA O’Callaghan has revealed an evening with folk legend Christy Moore has helped Ireland relax ahead of tomorrow’s crunch Six Nations clash with Scotland.

Moore, pictured, performed at a private audience for the Irish camp at the Killiney base on Monday with several players singing alongside one of the nation’s most popular musicians.

“We were lucky enough that Patrick O’Reilly, our bag man, was able to get on to Christy Moore who came in and did a private gig for the squad and management,” said O’Callaghan.

“It was a great night that we really enjoyed. To have someone of Christy’s quality come in and put on a show like he did was great.

“He was so approachable and nice to us all. A few guys sang with him and I was lucky enough to be one of those – as was Luke Fitzgerald, Denis Leamy and Ronan O’Gara. I sang ‘City of Chicago’ with him. It was a great honour. Sometimes you need distractions during a big championship like the Six Nations. Christy is a huge rugby fan and his knowledge of the guys in the room was incredible. He sings the music of the soul and we all rolled in behind him – it was Irish to the core.”