A former Ulster and Ireland rugby star has told how he "bottled" singing Amhrán na bhFiann because he "wanted to be connected to the guys left and right of me".
Andrew Trimble said he did at one point make "enquiries" about singing the anthem, which is not traditionally sung by by players from a Protestant background before Ireland games, but decided against it when he was told he would "get a hard time".
The song Ireland's Call is also sung before home internationals to reflect the cross-community make-up the team.
The Coleraine-born player, who retired in 2017, was speaking during a discussion on a shared future in Northern Ireland on the Second Captains podcast.
Also appearing was former Armagh Gaelic footballer Oisin McConville.
Speaking about the Amhrán na bhFiann ('The Soldiers' Song'), Mr Trimble said he "never sang" it because "I didn't want to be different".
"I wanted to be part of the Ireland team and contribute to that and be a part of that as anyone else. I remember I did think about it at one stage and I just bottled it.
"Maybe if people like you and I could stop bottling it maybe that might kind of change the narrative or challenge someone else."
The two sports men also discussed the recent trouble on the streets of Belfast, and said they did not believe Northern Ireland was ready for a border poll.
Mr Trimble said: "Until we understand each other's perspectives and have more of a collective unity I just think ideology is always going to trump values and divide us further", while Mr McConville said he did not believe "the south have any sort of hunger for a united Ireland".
