Eight-year-old Stevie Mulrooney is hoping to sing in Croke Park next after his rendition of Ireland's Call in the Aviva Stadium went viral on Sunday.
The performance happened before the Ireland versus Italy match in the Six Nations, which Ireland won convincingly on a scoreline of 32-0.
Stevie previously won over the nation when he sang Ireland’s Call during The Late Late Toy Show last year and was surprised on set by players Bundee Aki and Peter O’Mahony.
Joining The Hard Shoulder today, Stevie said he was nervous to perform in front of a packed Aviva Stadium with over 50,000 fans watching on.
“It was very exciting,” he said.
“But I was nervous, a little bit nervous beforehand, there was a giant crowd looking down at me.
“When I burst into song, I wasn’t nervous at all then.”
Stevie Mulrooney singing in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. Image: Supplied.Stevie said he also got to meet some players from the Irish team.
“I met Bundee Aki, Peter O’Mahony, James Lowe, Josh Van Der Flier, Craig Casey and Gary Ringrose,” he said.
“My favourite players are Bundee Aki and Peter O’Mahony.
“They didn’t remember me [from The Late Late Show], someone had to tell them who I was.”
Asked if would he like to sing Ireland’s Call anywhere else, Stevie said “I’d like to sing in Croke Park and maybe a couple of other stadiums too”.
Final thought of the day… ☘️
How good was Stevie Mulrooney from the @KilkennyRFC U-8s?!
Nice stash of @IrishRugby kit to bring back to show his pals at Foulkstown and what a day of memories made 👏
Well done Stevie! 🎤 #FromTheGroundUppic.twitter.com/LUPcKmtttn
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) February 11, 2024
His father Seamus Mulrooney said he was confident in his son’s abilities to perform in front of such a large crowd.
“I had seen him earlier in the week rehearsing with the Garda band in Cathal Brugha Barracks and he nailed it.
“I also saw him earlier in the day doing it, so I was pretty sure he was going to be okay.
“I was initially worried about the timing because of how Stevie sings the song and how he sang it on The Late Late Show, as it’s a bit different and a bit slower.”
Too true. Take a bow young Stevie. Incredible performance! https://t.co/VkZK5tmfUf
— Jeffrey Donaldson MP (@J_Donaldson_MP) February 11, 2024
Seamus said the song itself can be controversial to some.
“People have their different opinions on the song, but it’s the one song that does bring everyone together and Stevie was very proud to sing it,” he said.
Ireland manager Andy Farrell said Stevie “nailed it” when asked by reporters for his thoughts on the performance after his side's win on Sunday.
You can listen back here:
Main image: Stevie Mulrooney pictured with singer Jennifer Dalton in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Supplied.
