‘Northern Ireland Need New National Anthem’ – Gerry Armstrong Questions Use Of ‘God Save The Queen’

Alan Duffy

29th, November 2011

23 Comments

By Alan Duffy

In recent years, there has been a constant trickle of players from Northern Ireland switching allegiances to the Republic, including Manchester United’s Darron Gibson and Stoke City’s Marc Wilson. Now, Northern Ireland legend Gerry Armstrong, who is currently the Irish FA’s ‘elite player mentor’, has suggested that ditching ‘God Save The Queen’ could entice more players from the country’s nationalist background to play for the North.

“It is an issue which is sensitive to a lot of nationalist lads,” he added.” It (the anthem) was an issue that was brought up on several occasions and it’s something that I am aware of.”

“It might have been a reason, maybe, why some of them didn’t want to play for Northern Ireland, ” continued the 63-cap former player. “I do think it’s something that needs to be talked about. Where it goes, I just don’t know.”

Both Scotland and Wales have their own anthems so creating a new one for Northern Ireland wouldn’t be that revolutionary. Indeed, Armstrong has even had preliminary talks with Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody in relation to composing a new anthem, although surely Dana should be first in line for the job?

Armstrong, from a nationalist background himself, (and scorer of that famous goal against Spain in 1982) does talk sense. However, one wonders what the players (and fans) from the Unionist side will say about the proposed change?

Posted in International football, Songs & Chants

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23 Comments

  1. […] the article at whoateallthepies.tv. This entry was posted by […]

  2. Never..Never..Never says:

    Catholica should not be allowed to play for “our” wee country … 100%pure Protestant. And thats the way it shall remain!

  3. Mr. Sparkle says:

    This is a a can of warms that shouldn’t really be opened now, should it.

  4. Donal says:

    Make them sing a stupid uninspiring anthem like the one the Irish rugby team sing to keep the todgers happy…everyone knows that even the English by English I mean small area in the south given the rest of the mainland is Geordie,scouse, Brumi and manc..couldn’t give a flying fuck about the queen..except maybe JT who aspires to make things like they were in the old days…

  5. syndex says:

    jesus mary on a two speed rickshaw, snow patrol that will put thunder in the blood.

  6. Tinez says:

    Their are royalists all over the country and republicans as well.

  7. Stevesy says:

    If there is one thing this sport needs more of it’s nationalist sentiments.

  8. Tom Jones says:

    How about Y.M.C.A. by the Village people?

  9. gamblino says:

    They should just ask to become the first national football team that doesn’t have an anthem played. Who the fuck needs that waste of 5 mins anyway.
    I follow England but don’t like the British one when I’m at England matches either. Never know what to do with myself. It’s a shit tune and I couldn’t care less about the Queen. It’s a bit of a song for moron’s too. Every team should just run out to the liquidator.

  10. Rory says:

    Don’t think it’s got anything to do with the anthem (which is fuckin crap as anthems go anyways).

  11. 22 says:

    Fuck them. Catholic players who decide to play for the north recieve death threats, then everyone wonders why lots of young lads want to play for the south. Changing the anthem wont do anything, getting rid of sectarianism will.

  12. GodSaveCharlieSheen says:

    Spain won the Euro and World Cup and their national anthem has no words what so ever. The players just stand their awkwardly waiting for the kickoff. I like to imagine that Xavi thinks about how Cesc suffered at arsenal.

  13. Fat Nakago says:

    Try this one:

    Amhrán na bhFiann

    Seo dhibh a cháirde duan Óglaigh,
    Cathréimeach briomhar ceolmhar,
    Ár dtinte cnámh go buacach táid,
    ‘S an spéir go min réaltogach
    Is fonnmhar faobhrach sinn chun gleo
    ‘S go tiúnmhar glé roimh thíocht do’n ló
    Fé chiúnas chaomh na hoiche ar seol:
    Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.

    Curfá:
    Sinne Fianna Fáil
    A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn,
    buion dár slua
    Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
    Fé mhóid bheith saor.
    Sean tír ár sinsir feasta
    Ní fhagfar fé’n tiorán ná fé’n tráil
    Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
    Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil
    Le guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléar
    Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.

    Cois bánta réidhe, ar árdaibh sléibhe,
    Ba bhuachach ár sinsir romhainn,
    Ag lámhach go tréan fé’n sár-bhrat séin
    Tá thuas sa ghaoith go seolta
    Ba dhúchas riamh d’ár gcine cháidh
    Gan iompáil siar ó imirt áir,
    ‘S ag siúl mar iad i gcoinne námhad
    Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.

    Curfá

    A bhuíon nách fann d’fhuil Ghaeil is Gall,
    Sin breacadh lae na saoirse,
    Ta scéimhle ‘s scanradh i gcroíthe namhad,
    Roimh ranna laochra ár dtire.
    Ár dtinte is tréith gan spréach anois,
    Sin luisne ghlé san spéir anoir,
    ‘S an bíobha i raon na bpiléar agaibh:
    Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
    Curfá

  14. Anto says:

    never never never-I totally agree, paddy mccourt should be playing for us instead anyway!

  15. Jay says:

    The antheme has very little to do with it, its the nation antheme of our wee country, so thats why its played before the match! Who in their right mind would make a decision about what country to play for based on a 3min song before the match? Your not forced to sing! Catholics are more than welcome to play for Norn Iron!

    The real problem is, people who have played at youth levels for Norn Iron, who then switch! These people, should be banned from football for life! Darren Gibson etc!

  16. murry1975 says:

    @15.jay
    Get a grip lad . What about Alex Bruce and Lee Camp , should they be banned for life too ?

    The national anthem is a relic that some in NI will not give up for their own reasons . Scotland and Wales both belong to the same soveriegn state yet acknowledge thier differences and uniqueness through their own anthems instead of an allegence to an anthem that doesnt represent them , their culture or national identity .

  17. McRico says:

    Its “Our Wee Country”. Thats were the problem lies. It not “Your wee Country”. Its a patch of the land of Ireland in which a “bias” group of men sat down one day and drew a line through. This should never have happened, in hindsight sight it never would had – The UN never would had sactioned it. You stole it from us – So its our land – Ireland. Get off my land.

    You are parisites – your not British – your anti Irish. Britain doesn’t even want you. Give us back our land and our people, before we are given it and them back from the kingdom you so worship!

    Together standing tall – We will be Nation Once Again! Ireland!

  18. Charlie Adam says:

    Not an opinion this, but it will never happen. Fans just wouldn’t go to the games I reckon. Trust Alan Duffy to make a political article like this on WAATP though.

  19. murry1975 says:

    @18 charlie adam
    Maybe you should read the articles on the BBC or Belfast telegraph dealing with it . What an opening sentence , not an opinion – then what the hell was it ? Fans just wouldnt go to the games ? Fans dont go to the games anyway .

  20. Charlie Adam says:

    It’s not an opinion, if you go to a game, you’ll realise. ?

    ?

    ???
    ?

  21. Jay says:

    Northern Ireland IS a country, DEAL WITH IT FS!!! This has nothing to do with it! These players, who are more than happy to represent NORN IRON at youth level, then once the FAI come knocking, upsticks! Think of the time, money and effort put in to developing these kids!! If they are from NORN IRON, and see themselfs as Irish, then fair enough! Go play for Ireland! Don’t waste our little resorces, training you up!

  22. murry1975 says:

    @20 Charlie Adam – once again thats an opinion

    @21 jay – what about Alex Bruce and Lee Camp ? Or draining other resources Paddy Gorman who originally played for the Republic then went with NI? Or Oliver Norwood English born raised and played before NI? It works both ways Jay . More players will make the change in years to come (both ways) as it is easier than before .

    If I was a Norn Iron fan I would be more worried about a unified team after the Olympics than some one else taking a few players . There are many FA’s out there that dont like the home nations influence and as FIFA are in no place to guarantee their future (The last WC ruckus FIFA gave members more power so they can call votes and introduce more motions at FIFA meetings remember ? more votes ,more voice ,more vision or something like that phrase .If a motion is moved on precident – i.e. the Unified GB team- it would be hard for the home nations to vote down )So I would be more worried about losing ALL the players than just a handful .Mind you it would solve the anthem bit .

  23. bob says:

    It is absolutely ridiculous that god save the queen is played at Northern Ireland matches. I dont understand how people from NI can think theyre British, even if their ancestors came from Britain their families have been living in NI for hundreds of years. This makes them Irish or ‘Northern Irish’. Although NI is controlled by the UK, it is still part of Ireland. The NI football team is run by the IRISH FA, so why do they have the British anthem? Its ridiculous. Its also ridiculous how the IFA refused to enter negotiations with the republic team about creating a single Ireland football team. It says a lot about the people in charge.

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