GAA News

Ireland is known throughout the world for its music and Gaelic Games. These two traits are very much part of the national psyche, but when it comes to combining the two together, well lets be kind and say it has been a mixed bag.

By Declan Whooley

What lead-up to an All-Ireland wouldn’t be complete without a song to stoke the passions of supporters ahead of the big day in Croke Park?

While Wexford set the bar with Dancing at the Crossroads in 1996, many others have failed to hit those dizzy heights. See Sams Coming Home for Down supporters in 2010 as one example among many.

With the hurling decider just five days away here's a quick look at what Galway and Kilkenny supporters can sing along to in their quest for Liam MacCarthy.

The City of the Tribes has a long standing reputation with arts and music and Ceol Aniar yesterday launched their song entitled The Tribesmen Are Back. The tune is simple yet catchy, and any song that can coherently sing the starting fifteen while keeping it easy on the ear deserves a pat on the back.

Tomas Jackson is hoping to inspire the Black & Amber with ‘Come on home Kilkenny Hurlers’, inspired by a well-known republican anthem. We would struggle to see the Wolfe Tones belt out this hurling number, but it may get the Cats purring.

If the All-Ireland was decided by musical quality then we would have to crown Galway as the champions. As we said there is not a county in the country with their musical tradition so we would expect nothing less from the westerners.

What do you think of both songs? Have Galway got the edge? Or have Kilkenny hit just the right note?