'She was bloody right': The anthem advice that shook up O'Driscoll

Brian O’Driscoll has revealed it took the intervention of his mother to cop himself on and sing both Ireland anthems with real purpose. The legendary midfielder initially used to only give Amhran na bhFiann, the traditional Irish national anthem, his undivided attention when it was played pre-game at Aviva Stadium and was way more hesitant about engaging with Ireland’s Call, the song that is also played at home matches in Dublin and is the only song used for away games. 

The now 43-year-old first skippered his country in 2002 versus Australia at the old Lansdowne Road and after Keith Wood retook the captaincy for the 2003 World Cup, O’Driscoll was restored to the role for the 2004 Six Nations and he then led Ireland the whole way through to the 2012 three-game tour of New Zealand.

O’Driscoll has now spoken about the ongoing two anthems situation surrounding rugby in Ireland, chatting in a BT Sport Rugby Walks interview two days before Ireland look to clinch their first Triple Crown on home ground since O’Driscoll led them to victory over Scotland in 2004. Ireland have enjoyed great success since then but it has always taken place at away grounds. 

Reflecting on his time as captain and how he felt about Ireland having two anthems, O’Driscoll said: “I was Ireland captain and for a period of time I was singing Amhran na bhFiann, our Irish anthem for the Republic, and then Ireland’s Call is our second anthem and I went through a period where I didn’t sing Ireland’s Call, for no real purpose. 

“I obviously found Amhran na bhFiann a more passionate anthem but my mum took me to one side and goes, ‘FYI, you’re Ireland captain - you sing both anthems’... She was bloody right. It wasn’t even that I didn’t want to sing it [Ireland’s Call], it’s just it’s the anthem for everyone.”

It was 2014 when O’Driscoll played his last home match for Ireland, a round four Six Nations win over Italy the week before they went to Paris and clinched the championship title win a victory against France. “It was really nice. Obviously, we had a championship to play for the following week so it wasn’t the end - I had one more but to get that send off, to get to enjoy it with my family, my daughter was there, we were expecting our second child as well and no one knew about it. 

“My sisters as well and my mum and dad - your nearest and dearest that have sacrificed so much for you to get to enjoy a moment with all of them was great. And we obviously won convincingly and set up a great opportunity to win another championship the following week. It’s a bit embarrassing when there’s a big blow-up balloon of yourself and the lads taking the mickey out of you, but it was still a really lovely occasion.

“There were a few tears the following week. I felt it and it was ultimately joy because we won a trophy. To finish with a Six Nations win - and I think I was given a token man of the match that day as well, so sentiment is still alive in the game.”

• The extended Rugby Walks interview with Brian O’Driscoll will be live on the BT Sport YouTube Channel from 12pm on Thursday. The full episode will air on Thursday on BT Sport 2 from 6:15pm.