Irish rugby star Brian O'Driscoll has said that singing a Christy Moore song in front of the Irish squad to celebrate his first ever cap for Ireland was the most nervous he’d ever been.
Lifelong Christy fan O’Driscoll sang the singer’s City of Chicago to his teammates and speaking to Dave Fanning on the first episode of the new season of Fanning at Whelan’s, he said, "You needed a first cap song . . what the hell am I going to sing? I don’t really have any voice whatsoever.
"I thought I might be able to 'Christy Moore’ this one away - something a bit slower and I always liked it, it’s a great song. I was the most nervous I have been. Whatever about playing the test match but actually singing in front of your peers afterwards was miles worse!"
O’Driscoll drops into Dublin venue Whelan’s to pick his favourite songs for the fourth season of the live music show on Virgin Media Two this Saturday.
Bell X1, Winnie Ama, Amy Michelle, Zapho, and Gurriers also join Fanning for first show of the series, with Glen Hansard, Jape and Gemma Hayes also among the upcoming acts over the next eight weeks.
Speaking about the upcoming series, Fanning said: "Fanning at Whelan’s is an important and vital platform for new upcoming Irish acts.
"It’s a perfect fit, and with this series we have another 20 great acts throughout December and January - it’s gonna be great."
Dave Allen of Whelan’s said: "It’s great to see the show go from strength to strength and give much needed support to new fresh talent alongside some of our best loved musicians."
Fanning at Whelan’s: Saturday 2 December at 10pm on Virgin Media Two and repeated on Thursday 7 December at 11pm Virgin Media One
