RTE Sport viewers were left baffled before Ireland and Italy had even kicked off in their Six Nations clash in Rome on Saturday afternoon.
Tuning in for the anthems, fans had to sit through a particularly bad version of Ireland's Call with the players belting out the famous tune at least five or six seconds ahead of the music.
While some poked fun at the players' timing, others, including commentator Hugh Cahill, pointed out the slow pace of the music. On commentary for RTE, Hugh joked that we had been treated to the "super slow-mo" version of Ireland's Call.
Read More : RTE viewers fall in love with Paul Mescal after 'charming' Late Late appearance
Others were quick to take to Twitter with some even accusing the Italians of deliberately slowing the track down to throw the Irish team off.
Journalist Gavan Reilly posted: "Ah, the old ‘mangle the anthem to flatten the mood’ tactic. Haven’t seen that in a while." One reply suggested the players could have performed a slow waltz to the version.
Another Twitter user said: "The Italians win the first battle of the afternoon, by somehow making Ireland’s Call even worse."
A third suggested it had happened before but in a different sport during the 1994 World Cup.
"Happened at the Giant's Stadium in 1994 against Italy as well.....must have been the slowest version of Amhran na bFhiann we ever heard," they claimed.
If it was a deliberate attempt to dampen the atmosphere among the Irish players and travelling Irish supporters, it failed miserably as Ireland made an incredible start in Rome thanks to a James Ryan try inside five minutes.
READ NEXT:
Una Healy ends throuple with David Haye after 'extended holiday without her'
Son of Euromillions winner Dolores McNamara to set up home on luxury estate
Late Late viewers in tears as campaigners demand State apology over Thalidomide
Suspect in Dublin stabbing was brought to Garda station by relative hours later
Two Irish EuroMillions players win life-changing prizes as Friday’s jackpot won
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
