We are not here to pass judgement as to whether the Will Grigg's on fire song has jumped the shark. (It has not been helped by the fact that Will Grigg is one of just two Northern Ireland outfield players yet to actually make an appearance at Euro 2016).
The song is sufficiently catchy enough to have been adopted by supporters of sides not featuring Will Grigg, something that troubles our own Mikey Traynor. (The sight of Belgian fans singing 'Lukaku's on fire' on the RTE News last night gave further substance to Mikey's views).
The songs rhythmic imperialism has now reached the venerable old GAA. It was heard across a couple of GAA grounds this afternoon. Firstly, at Offaly/Galway:
"Dooley's on fire - Galway defence is terrified!" sing the Offaly fans in a Portlaoise pub. Traversing sports now
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 19, 2016
Then it was heard at Tyrone/Cavan in Clones. O'Neill scored a sublime point in the first-half against Cavan, and it was met with a chorus of 'O'Neill's on fire', which you may be able to pick up in the background of RTE's TV commentary:
The game channelled the spirit of that foreign sport currently being played in France later in the game also: Martin Carney described a free-kick taken by the Cavan goalkeeper as a 'howitzer', that ultimately led to a brief debate as to whether the ball had crossed the line:
Twas a goal alright #GAA pic.twitter.com/EtZIqM7W3r
— UnOfficialGaa (@UnOfficialGaa) June 19, 2016
This is where the comparisons with soccer end: it was one hell of a game, ending in a draw that will be decided by a replay on Sunday, July 3.
One Balls reader is appalled at this great cultural force:
THIS NEEDS TO FUCKING STOP. All blame goes to Wigan fans for starting this chant😧 https://t.co/OfGgDqlktc
— David (@DavidBradshaw23) June 19, 2016
