Leinster have issued an apology after a pro-IRA song was played after Sunday’s 41-12 United Rugby Championship win against Connacht at the RDS Arena in Dublin.
Celtic Symphony by the Wolfe Tones has lyrics that refer to support for the IRA. The chorus repeats the line “Ooh ah up the ‘Ra, say ooh ah up the ‘Ra” six times. The song was reportedly faded out after one verse and the chorus, as the players did a lap of honour around the stadium.
“A song was played over the PA at the RDS Arena this evening that shouldn’t have been played,” Leinster said in a statement. “Leinster Rugby has taken measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again and apologises sincerely for its use and for any offence caused.”
Last month, Uefa fined the Football Association of Ireland €20,000 (about £18,000) after videos emerged of its women’s team singing lyrics from the same song in the dressing room following their 1-0 win against Scotland in October to qualify for the World Cup. The team were filmed singing “Ooh ah up the ‘Ra, say ooh ah up the ‘Ra”.
Uefa’s control, ethics and disciplinary body, which issued the fine, described the incident as “a violation of the basic rules of decent conduct”.
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“We apologise from the bottom of our hearts to anyone who has been offended by the content of the post-match celebrations,” Vera Pauw, the Republic of Ireland Women manager, said after the incident.
Leinster have won all 13 games of their 2022-23 season so far and play Ospreys away on Saturday.
