Ireland's Call

The rugby internationals are almost upon us again, yet the same old problems remain. Ireland is supposed to represent two countries: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. When there is a game in Dublin, they play the Soldier's Song - apparently to show respect to the President of the RoI and the country it is being played in. Yet when the Ireland team has played in Belfast, the IRFU refuse to show respect to Northern Ireland being part of the UK and therefore God Save the Queen is not played. The flag of the RoI is also flown in Dublin but again only rugby flags are allowed for Belfast games. The Northern Ireland minister for sport should make strong representations to the IRFU asking them to end their political agenda. If the IRFU can't accommodate Northern Ireland, then it's time for Northern Ireland to have its own separate rugby team, as happens with football. It's better to be a small country with limited resources than to be treated with disrespect by the Irish Nationalists in the IRFU.