Conor McGregor shows support for Ireland women's football team who sang 'up the RA'

Conor McGregor has lent his support to the Republic of Ireland women's national football team after they apologised for singing lyrics that praise the Irish Republican Army

Rhys Daly Senior Sports Reporter

08:23, 15 Oct 2022

Scotland , United Kingdom - 11 October 2022; Republic of Ireland players and staff celebrate with video analyst Andrew Holt after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

Republic of Ireland players were filmed singing the controversial lyrics in the dressing room(Image: Getty Images)

UFC icon Conor McGregor has lent his support to the Republic of Ireland women's national football team after they issued an apology for singing lyrics that praise the Irish Republican Army.

‌

McGregor has taken to social media after several Ireland players were filmed celebrating their World Cup qualification after beating Scotland at Hampden Park by singing Celtic Symphony in the changing room.

‌

Team manager Vera Pauw and players Aine O'Gorman and Chloe Mustaki all apologised for their actions.

‌

But that did not stop McGregor from weighing in - and he used one of their apologies to mock up a clip featuring his famous refusal to apologise.

Sky Sports News presenter Rob Wooton is seen asking if Mustaki would like to apologise, but McGregor is dubbed over her response, showing his infamous post-fight "I would like to apologise... to absolutely nobody".

Article continues below

The video concludes with Celtic Symphony by the Wolfe Tones playing out over the top, and the caption reading: "congrats ladies."

The lyrics of the 1987 hit include 'Ooh ah up the Ra, say ooh ah up the Ra' in reference to the Irish Republican Army.

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 25: Conor McGregor is seen during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at on May 25, 2022 in Cannes, France.

Conor McGregor has taken to Twitter to support the Republic of Ireland women's national football team(Image: Getty Images)

‌

Members of Ireland women's team were filmed singing as they celebrated World Cup qualification(Image: irishmirror)

Explaining why the lyrics are controversial, DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has said she will ask the FAI what steps they would take to address the incident in writing.

She said: "This was a barbaric, cruel and illegal terrorist organisation. For the team to be singing such a song is quite outrageous and utterly insensitive to PIRA victims.

‌

"I will be asking the FAI how they are going to give leadership across grassroots football so as this pro-IRA chanting is stopped at future events."

Content cannot be displayed without consent

Scotland , United Kingdom - 11 October 2022; Amber Barrett of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring her side's goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

Republic of Ireland were celebrating after beating Scotland to reach the 2023 World Cup(Image: Getty Images)

‌

Uefa have said that they are investigating "potential inappropriate behaviour".

Mustaki had said in her full interview: "Yeah, absolutely, look, we're all really sorry here in Dublin.

"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."

Article continues below