Sinead O'Connor may well have inspired a generation of vocalists after shooting to fame in the late '80s, but that Irish fighting spirit has found her in a bit of controversy from time to time.

Here's three of the best sparring matches that Sinead has found herself in…

CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE BEEF

In 1992 O'Connor tore up a photo of (then) Pope John Paul II during a live broadcast of hit US show Saturday Night Live (SNL).

PROS

It got everyone talking about O'Connor.

CONS

It got everyone avoiding O'Connor.

WHO WON?

JPII has long gone, O'Connor is still raging.

AND THEN…

She invaded a live TV discussion about the Church in 1995 and recently described the role of the Pope as “anti-Christian”.

JOE PESCI

THE BEEF

He appeared on SNL a week after O'Connor with a patched-up copy of the photo O'Connor had shredded on camera.

PROS

Pesci proved adept at photo restoration.

CONS

Pesci revealed his ugly side, saying: “If it was my show, I woulda gave her such a smack.”

WHO WON?

Pesci was last seen in a Snickers commercial.

AND THEN…

Madonna sided with Pesci and a Bob Dylan tribute concert audience booed but Kris Kristofferson came to her defence.

MILEY CYRUS

THE BEEF

Post-tween singer says her Wrecking Ball clip was inspired by O'Connor. O'Connor says Cyrus is pimping herself.

PROS

More like 'prose'. O'Connor's open letter to Cyrus was a thoughtful piece about modern pop culture.

CONS

Collective brain strain as everyone tries to remember the time O'Connor swung naked on a wrecking ball.

WHO WON?

Maybe O'Connor if she follows through her threat of suing Cyrus for her post-letter tweet attack.

AND THEN…

Amanda Palmer sided with Cyrus. Soundwave's AJ Maddah sided with O'Connor.

This article first appeared nationally in The Music magazine.