'Sometimes a good tune is just a good tune': Controversy over 'Zombie' as rugby anthem

IRISH rugby fans have come into criticism after singing an ‘anti-IRA’ anthem at the Rugby World Cup following Ireland’s win.

Thousands of fans sang the Cranberries’ Zombie after Ireland’s victory against South Africa at the State de Bordeaux last weekend.

The song first became a part of the rugby playlist when Munster used it during their Champions Cup quarter-final in 2022.

The song was written by Limerick native Dolores O’Riordan in 1993, after an IRA bomb exploded and took the lives of two children.

However, the choice of the song has gotten mixed reactions on social media and caused quite the controversy.

Former rugby player, Shane Byrne, shared his thoughts on RTE’s Upfront last night, stating that “Sometimes a good tune is just a good tune."

He said: “Everyone there is just happy. Yes, there's a meaning behind it. Yes, it was originally written as a protest song, but sometimes a good tune is just a good tune.”

When asked if he thought the same of ‘Up the Ra’, he responded: “Did you think anyone there was thinking about the meaning behind that? 99. 9 percent of the people that do come out and sing ‘Up the Ra’ in inappropriate times are not even remotely thinking about the meaning behind it. They're just wrapped up in the moment that they're in, as were everybody in Paris that day.”

Journalist and author Aoife Moore also reacted to the controversy.

Speaking on The Tonight Show, she said: “It’s songs at football matches. Most people at football matches are not thinking about the political outcome of the song that they're singing. This is such a reductive, waste of our time, waste of our energy.”

She added; “And I just would like people to take more of an interest in Northern Ireland if that's what you're trying to do. If you want to take an interest in what's happening, take an interest.”