Coulter 'open' to writing sports anthem

The musician has said he would be open to discussing the matter with the relevant authorities, should there be a consensus for a new song among local football fans.

The intervention from the skilled pianist comes after widespread debate emerged last week following a call by avid Northern Ireland supporter Kenny Donaldson, who is also an Ulster Unionist Party officer, to find a new sporting anthem, instead of God Save The Queen, which would be more acceptable to all traditions in the Province.

In 1995, Mr Coulter was commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to write a politically neutral anthem for the Ireland rugby team, comprising players from Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The resulting 'Ireland's Call' has now been adopted by the respective Ireland cricket, rugby league and hockey teams.

"It needs to be a song which is easily assimilated and easily sung, and which is rousing and all of those good things that any anthem is supposed to be," he said.

"Lyrically, that is your real test to come up with a song in our part of the world which would have an across-the-board appeal. That would be part of the challenge if it ever came to it," he said.

Last week, Irish Football Association president Raymond Kennedy revealed that the idea of replacing the national anthem was under consideration, prompting an outcry from senior unionists.

Pointing to the "many good famous songwriters" in Northern Ireland, Mr Kennedy said the launch of a competition to come up with a new anthem was an option.