The Irish hockey anthem is usually Ireland’s Call, but not for the Olympics.
Ireland’s first appearance at the Games as an independent nation (they last competed in 1908) caused confusion amongst viewers before the action even started.
During the national anthem for their Group B opener against India, Amhrán na bhFiann played for the Irish team who are used to hearing Ireland’s Call.
Amhran na bhFiann as that's Ireland's national anthem as per the IOC, usually Ireland's Call & IHA flag ala rugby
— Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) August 6, 2016
During the build-up to the game, RTÉ commentator Ger Canning also introduced the Irish anthem as Ireland’s Call, before Amhrán na bhFiann was belted out through the Rio skies.
And it caused a lot of confusion because the fans wouldn’t have been too used to it.
Ireland's first hockey game in the Olympics since Independence. Amhran na Bhfian plays instead of the usual Ireland's Call
— University Express (@UCCExpress) August 6, 2016
So they made sure Ireland’s Call was heard anyway.
Crowd follow it up with a rendition of Ireland's Call. Crowd, or at least vocal crowd, mostly Irish #Rio2016 #fieldhockey
— University Express (@UCCExpress) August 6, 2016
But the questions were still being asked.
So it's not Ireland's call …….
— Enda Lynch (@austinstacksabu) August 6, 2016
Such is the nature of #Olympics Ireland sing Amhran na bhFiann rather than Ireland's call this time out, 40 seconds to game time! #hockey
— The Hook (@hookhockey) August 6, 2016
What a spanner on @RTEsport introducing "Ireland's Call" as our anthem… #OTBRio2016 #rterio2016
— John Landers (@JohnWLanders) August 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/LukePField/status/761924812298133504
Ireland's call being sang in the background omg
— Aoife ☔️🍀 (@Aoife1108) August 6, 2016
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