In today’s Hospital Pass, we discuss the latest in a long line of questionable GAA anthems and cross our fingers for Wicklow’s Harry Murphy.
Just as it is across the pond and indeed, worldwide, sport and music in this country just don’t mix.
For every ‘Anfield Rap’ from Liverpool, there’s ‘An Lu Abu’ from the Wee County. While football fans across Britain cringed at Hoddle and Waddle singing ‘Diamond Lights’, everyone in Mayo outside of Tom Tom and the Byrne Babes distanced themselves from the brutal ‘Sam Maguire’s coming home to Mayo’, penned way back in 1996.
Yet, despite the sheer awful-ness of nearly every GAA song (We’re willing to make an exception for the Wexford ditty ‘Dancin’ at the Crossroads’ by the Wild Swans, if only for the killer line ‘What’s the story, Martin Storey?’), it doesn’t stop would-be musicians from penning a tribute to their native county coming up to All-Ireland time on an annual basis. This year, it’s the turn of Tipp’s Johnny B.
If the name rings a bell, it’s because Johnny B is the man behind ‘Lar Outside’, an ode to the reigning Hurler of Year which goes to the tune of the Rubberbandits’ ‘Horse Outside’. It’s harmless enough stuff, but you might have thought Johnny B would be happy enough with the one-hit wonder tag. Not so.
Perhaps buoyed by the 92,000+ hits his original anthem received on YouTube, Johnny’s latest hit ‘The Premier Return’ has hit the web just in time for the eagerly anticipated rematch between Tipp and Kilkenny next weekend.
A lively rock number with a bit of rap thrown in, ‘The Premier Return’ contains wonderful flights of poetry such as His (Conor O’Mahony’s) hurley/he got the priest to bless it/the way he pulls it/he should be arrested and “Is it a bird/a plane/is it a man?/Hon ya boy, Seamus Callanan”.
Don’t let us be the judge, however, check it out for yourself below. Music is a thing of taste after all. And no doubt if Tipp do the business next weekend, they’ll be singing it loud and proud when Eoin Kelly shows off the Liam McCarthy to the masses at Semple on the Monday. Hell, they might even ask Johnny B to perform an impromptu gig.
Tough act to follow
Fair play to Harry Murphy, he has some balls on him. The Rathnew man has decided to take a massive gulp out of the poisoned chalice that is the Wicklow manager’s job, only weeks after the great Micko stepped down after five years in charge.
As sporting jobs go, it’s the equivalent of replacing Old Red Nose Alex Ferguson in the Manchester United hotseat whenever he retires/kicks the bucket, whichever comes first (we’re not discounting a Weekend at Bernie’s type scenario in the Old Trafford dugout).
In fairness, Murphy has an impeccable record at club level, having guided Rathnew to seven county titles and one Leinster title in 11 years. Unfortunately, at inter-county level, he will be judged against the deeds of his predecessor and when you go head to head with Micko, there’s only one winner.
Judging by the fate of Laois, Kildare and yes, even Kerry immediately after O’Dwyer handed over the reins, it’s going to be a tough battle for Harry. We wish him all the best.
