Although Taylor Swift’s appearance at the Super Bowl is making headlines, the real star of a sporting event on this side of the Atlantic was an eight-year-old Irish boy.
Prior to Ireland’s victory over Italy on Sunday, County Kilkenny native Stevie Mulrooney performed the rugby anthem Ireland’s Call at the Aviva Stadium.
He told Irish broadcaster RTÉ, “I loved it, I didn’t feel a little bit nervous when I got into the song.”
The schoolboy’s performance has garnered a lot of praise, with Irish head coach Andy Farrell being one of the people most impressed.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland program, Stevie said that he was “scaring the life” out of himself due to the large crowd of over 40,000 people, but that his nerves subsided once he started singing.
He added that he had only practiced once on the day and five times prior to Sunday.
The young singer gained recognition for her rendition of Ireland’s Call on RTÉ’s Late Late Toy Show towards the end of last year, which led to the opportunity.
According to Stevie’s father Seamus, there had been some discussion that the Irish flanker Josh van der Flier had extended an invitation for Stevie to sing at the Aviva.
“So many people helped him out,” Seamus said.
“The band made him feel so at ease – and a special thank you to Jennifer Dalton who sang both national anthems, she kept him calm on the day,” he said.
He’s a “good little lad,” his dad added, saying his family as “so proud” of him.
Ireland rugby coach Andy Farrell said Stevie’s confidence “was amazing”.
“I actually thought: ‘I wish our lads are going to be like that.’
“He’s got his shoulders back, he was ready. He was waving to the crowd, stood there on his own. I thought: ‘This kid’s got it all.'”
As for Stevie, he was delighted not only with Ireland’s comprehensive victory but also that he got to meet the teams – including his favourite players, Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony and Bundee Aki.
