When you think of a crossover between an Irish musical icon and a footballing great, you'd be lying if Damien Dempsey and James McClean weren't the two names who jumped straight to your mind.
Dempsey is a true blue icon, with songs like Apple of My Eye, Sing All Our Cares Away and any other rebel song you can think of earning the Donaghmede man a sort of cult status in the capital. After seven years, Dempsey has released a new album ahead of his famous Christmas gigs.
While typically Damien's sporting endeavours have been limited to supporting Dessie Farrell's Dublin, his latest song has paid homage to Derry's favourite son James McClean. Like McClean, Dempsey is no stranger to the walled city where he's been playing gigs and attending Bloody Sunday commemorations since he broke onto the Irish music scene.
The new release which sees Damien pay tribute to James McClean's adversity in the face of abuse over his refusal to wear the poppy, comes as 'Remembrance Day commemorations begin this weekend at English football grounds, most notably at Leicester on Friday night.
McClean's refusal to wear the poppy has made him public enemy number one for many English football fans. While the timing of the release of Dempsey's song about McClean is coincidental, it possesses a strong message for this time of year.'
Damien Dempsey releases James McClean tribute
Damien Dempsey's latest Album Hold Your Joy is home to what one could call quite a variety of different types of music that aim digs at the government, pay homage to footballers and 'Factory John'.
Chief among them is a tribute to James McClean fittingly titled 'James McClean'.
While we'll let you indulge in the full song yourself, here's a little teaser as to what you'll be in for.
He walks into the stadium to compete with the best, but he's greeted with hatred all because of his vest.
He would wear one for soldiers who died in the world wars but won't wear one for killers who kicked in Irish doors.
JAMES MCCLEAN, JAMES MCCLEAN, JAMES MCCLEAN.....
We must commend his bravery, he stands up to the mob....
Even the British Legion, they support his stance, yet you scream from the terrace, will you stop being c*nts.
JAMES MCCLEAN...
In a weirdly relatable way, this song makes perfect sense for the pair who share similar relationships with their home cities, where they're slightly outspoken yet widely loved.
As with all Damien Dempsey music, nothing beats seeing the man live. If we were to hazard a guess, whether it's in Vicar Street in December or the Iveagh Gardens in the Summer, this tune is going to get the crowd up and singing.
Damien Dempsey will be playing his run of six Christmas shows in Vicar Street between the 16th and 23rd of December.
