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12th October 2022
01:07pm BST

Áine O'Gorman and her 11-week-old son James, with Louise Quinn, left, and Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland Women media event at the Hilton Hotel in Northern Cross, Dublin. (Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"Look, we're all really sorry here in Dublin," Mustaki told Sky Sports News. "It was obviously a massive lapse in judgement on our end, you know, lots going on when the final whistle went and we absolutely didn't mean to cause any hurt on our end so we do really apologise for that, absolutely."My main thought, when I first saw the video of the dressing room song, and players singing 'Ooh, Aah, up the 'RA' was that it must not be real. There is no way, I figured, that players would be belting out a republican anthem together, at Hampden Park, while a teammate went live with footage on social media. Last night was the greatest night in the history of women's football in Ireland. In a wider scope, it is up there with Jack Charlton (twice) and Mick McCarthy leading the Irish men's team to three World Cups in the space of 12 years.
There is so much to celebrate, and we will, but they players have messed up here. We should not be afraid of saying that, too. It would reek of double standards if those that disagreed with the song choice gave them a free pass.
And then we had the Celtic Symphony video, and the division that comes with singing such an anthem so publicly, and unabashedly. Many of us that hail from the Republic of Ireland will be well aware of the song, and it will wash over us. For friends, family and colleagues that live in and around Northern Ireland, this story will overshadow the incredible World Cup achievement. A friend sent me the following message:
- "This is for all the young kids, growing up. Now they have something to dream for, and I'm so happy to be part of this team."
- "Great win for the women, in the football - hurrah! Great encouragement for the next generation coming up, too."
'It's annoying because up north that's all they will talk about now. And it sort of alienates people from wanting to support them, which is so frustrating.'The FAI and Vera Pauw were swift to react, and apologise to all that were offended by the video, and the song. The players put up for media duty handed the queries well. The big shame is that there must be so much focus on the matter, off the back of such a landmark result. Some will say, 'Who cares?', but others would find it deeply offensive to hear a pro-IRA anthem being sung by players representing Ireland on a world stage. To many, the IRA wreaked havoc for decades and brought death to their door-steps. https://twitter.com/bodgek/status/1580077370945376256 It is worth noting, though, that the hurlers of Limerick and footballers of Mickey Harte's Tyrone face similar criticism, and questions, when similar dressing room footage of them singing victorious, post-match rebel songs. Tuesday night was the party, Wednesday morning has been the hangover but next summer, one hopes, will be the most uplifting and extended party possible. This team of players are capable of delivering many more spell-binding moments, and they will have a nation, and more, behind them. Related links:
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