We love our Anthems

Anthems and flags, two real bones of contention in this corner of the world.

Quick political lesson: Northern Ireland, as part of the UK, has 'God Save the Queen' as it's anthem. Most Loyalists love it, sing it with gusto and even add in 'No Surrender' in the ascending scale before 'Send her Victorious'. Most Nationalists, who have an affiliation to the Republic of Ireland, and therefore it's anthem 'Amhran na Bhfiann' or the 'Soldiers' Song', hate it, and refuse to sing. (To be fair, there's a lot of neutrals who don't give a toss or who, if they are drunk enough, will sing anything!)

It makes sporting occasions interesting. When Barry McGuigan won the Gold medal at the Olympics all those years ago, instead of causing offense to either community, both of which supported him wholeheartedly, he had his Da sing 'Danny Boy' when the anthem should have been played. I remember watching with great amusement when Eddie Irvine won Formula One races. After one race win they raised the Union Jack, and after the next win the Irish Tricolour. Eddie laughed it off, and said that he was going to have a special flag with just a shamrock on it made, just in case he won again. He didn't.

This is why the Irish rugby team have Ireland's Call. With the Ireland rugby team representing both the South and Northern Ireland, 'Ireland's Call' was scripted to help cross sectarian and national divides and was adopted as the rugby anthem in 1995. However, at home matches in Dublin the first verse of the Irish national anthem is also sung as the President of Ireland is present. (Mary McAleese - born and bred in Belfast - go figure)

Football is different. The football team is Northern Ireland. The Republic have their own, quite seperate, team. 'The Queen' is the anthem at Northern Ireland football matches because it is the anthem of the country represented, even though it would not be the preferred anthem of all the teams supporters. That's just the way it goes, like it or lump it.

So where is all this going? you ask. Well, the Northern Ireland football team have drawn Liechtenstein in their European Championship qualifying group. They are playing them tonight. Here in Belfast. It's live on TV. I don't subscribe to football, but I just happened to be wandering past the TV in the kitchen when they played the National Anthem for Liechtenstein. And I must admit, once I found out it wasn't a sick joke, I had to laugh. Because the tune to the National Anthem for Liechtenstein just happens to be the same tune as 'God Save the Queen'.

Don't believe me? Listen here. Only in Belfast.