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'Thank you Jack' | Moya Brennan's memories of 'Put 'em Under Pressure'

Moya Brennan says she remembers well the hype around the Republic of Ireland's hit 1990 World Cup...



'Thank you Jack' | Moya Brenna...
Soccer

'Thank you Jack' | Moya Brennan's memories of 'Put 'em Under Pressure'

Moya Brennan says she remembers well the hype around the Republic of Ireland's hit 1990 World Cup song 'Put 'em Under Pressure', as the country mourns the loss of Jack Charlton.

Brennan, whose family formed Clannad, joined OTB AM earlier, and she recalled her joy at being asked to sing in what became a cult classic.

"It was nice to be included. I used to go to the matches long before they got into the European Championships... when Denis Woods and Larry [Mullen] got in touch with me, I jumped at the chance!

"I just thought it would be amazing. It was nice the way they included different kinds of music, it was a real Irish impact.

"It was thought out, the pipes in there... it kind of created a good Irish vibe, it was musical. That's why it's held the test of time, people still love it!

"I have a sister in Australia and when she heard about Jack she sent me the song right away saying 'I'm just loving this song.' It's got great vibrant thoughts of that time.

"It's just lovely how the team looked at him and what they thought of him, the stories... it's gorgeous.

"I was in there [doing the video] with all the boys, and I had the privilege to meet Jack just twice with a load of other people. I was just the girl with the 'breathy voice', I think that's how I was introduced to him!

"It was great fun, I was just in there for an evening. It was very high-spirited, very exciting, because of what it was about. I knew some of the boys before like Packie Bonner because he's from Donegal, and [Niall] Quinn and [David] O'Leary.

"It was just nice to be there with them all, I felt so privileged, it was amazing. There's Mick McCarthy playing the drums, or trying to play the drums!"

Donegal woman Brennan, often dubbed the 'First Lady of Celtic Music', says the wonderful era of success Jack Charlton presided over changed the 1990s for the better in this country.

"I think he enjoyed it, I think he enjoyed the Irish culture. He loved the fact that he never had to buy a pint in Ireland, I think that was a major thing!

"I was over in Leo's, my father's pub, watching the Romania match, and the place went literally bonkers that evening. People were trying to make calls to travel agencies to fly to Italy the next day, including my brother.

"There was just an amazing sense of an Irish achievement that brought the country together. It was really amazing when you think of it.

"We have now achieved so many other accolades... people going on winning gold medals, things like Katie Taylor.

"But at that time, it was just so new to us, to achieve this kind of greatness, it was extraordinary. I can still feel it. Thank you Jack. He did a great thing, he brought a great team together."

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Clannad Italia 90 Jack Charlton Moya Brennan Put 'Em Under Pressure Republic Of Ireland Song World Cup World Cup Song