Back in July, Sinéad O'Connor's 'Nothing Compares 2 U' was blasted out over the speakers at Croke Park ahead of the All-Ireland Football Championship final between Dublin and Kerry as the GAA paid tribute to the late singer.
For the first time, BBC broadcast Ireland's greatest annual sporting occasion across their TV network, with British viewers tuning in via BBC Two.
Some of their coverage was understandably geared towards British viewers and aimed at explaining the enormity of the event.
To help with this, a few well-known Irish celebrities such as Dara O'Briain, Paul Mescal, Patrick Kielty, and Adrian Dunbar are part of the broadcast.
After the O'Connor tribute, Ó Briain succinctly explained why there was such an outpouring of grief following O'Connor's passing, and why the All-Ireland final in Croke Park is a perfect place to pay tribute:
It's a thing that's very typical of a thing that would happen in Ireland, and a thing that would happen in the GAA because it's as accurate a snapshot as you'll ever see of this entire population.
GAA Pay Tribute To Sinead O'Connor Ahead Of Dublin - Kerry All-Ireland Final
Crowd applaud and sing when Sinead O'Connor rings out across Croke Park. #GAA pic.twitter.com/ASMfmbyTpf
— Damian Cullen (@Damian_Cullen) July 30, 2023
Really poignant moment as 'Nothing Compares 2 U' is played at Croke Park before the All-Ireland football final. Followed by a warm ovation for the late Sinéad O'Connor #GAA pic.twitter.com/1mPaktDtGs
— Adam Moynihan (@AdamMoynihan) July 30, 2023
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"I've seen them applaud Seamus Heaney when he died, here," continued Ó Briain.
"And they just stopped to listen to Sinéad O'Connor because the country is in mourning still, still in shock and mourning at the death of Sinéad because we all knew her and all loved her.
"And it's as good a spot as any to find all over Ireland together to mark that. I'm delighted they did it but I think we're all taken by the emotion of it before the game."
Sinead O'Connor's voice would ring around Croke Park again at full-time.
Sinead's Molly Malone as Sam heads back to the Hill.
(Via @EoinLH15) pic.twitter.com/Is6dxIRW4q— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 30, 2023
The weeks leading up to the All-Ireland final had also seen Aslan frontman Christy Dignam pass away after a lengthy battle with illness. Dignam and Aslan's iconic song 'This Is' was the first track played over the PA after the final whistle blew. O'Connor's rendition of Dublin standard 'Molly Malone' was then played as the Dubs brought Sam Maguire to the Hill.
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