ONE OF THE enduring images of Ireland’s Grand Slam celebrations was Tommy Bowe taking to the stage at the Dawson Street homecoming, on 22 March 2009, to sing Black Velvet Band.
While Ronan O’Gara pumped his fists at the Millennium Stadium, Jack Kyle congratulated Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell spoke about the ‘manky drop goal’ that won the Slam, the Monaghan winger won his way into Irish sporting folklore with his near perfect rendition of the classic tune.
However, not everyone was impressed.
John Hayes, speaking on Newstalk’s Off the Ball Show this evening, declared that he watched on in horror as Bowe, with little encouragement, took the microphone and started to sing.
The former Munster and Ireland prop was back in his native Limerick with his family, and new-born daughter Roisín, when he tuned in to see the efforts of his teammates recognised.
YouTube credit: irelandcom
Hayes remarked, “I was back home before they got onto the stage. When I watched that on TV, having seen what they had got up to the night before…” He added:
I cringed for (Tommy). I was thinking ‘Would someone just get a shepherd’s hook and get him out of there?’
Hayes was on the radio show to talk about his rugby career and his newly released book The Bull: My Story.