As we sit in the afterglow of Ireland reaching its first-ever Women's World Cup, it's a pity we're not solely discussing the epic performances of Courtney Brosnan, Lousie Quinn, Katie McCabe and the other Ireland 'tigers' after defeating Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park last night.
An instagram live video on keeper Grace Moloney's feed of an 'up the RA' chant during a rendition of Celtic Symphony from members of the Ireland team circulated this morning and was roundly criticised.
The FAI and Vera Pauw issued a swift and thorough apology hoping to draw a line under the matter.
Yes, the chant was unfortunate but anyone who follows Ireland knows that Pauw and her team are in no way motivated by sectarianism.
It was a mistake made after a titanic victory and the apology makes it completely clear that Pauw and her team realise the chant shouldn't have happened.
"There can be no excuses," the Ireland manager said.
READ MORE: Vera Pauw Issues Fulsome Apology For Dressing Room 'Up The Ra' Chants
'The need for education'?: Sky Sports News Interview on Up The Ra chants
The Ireland manager and a member of the squad were questioned about the chant on Sky Sports News this morning.
Ireland defender Chloe Mustaki appeared on Sky Sports this morning from the team hotel in Dublin just after the apology was issued. She was there to speak about the match last night. Presenter Rob Wooten also had a number of questions for her about the Up The Ra chant.
The Ireland women's team apologise for singing a song referencing the IRA following their world cup qualification win against Scotland last night. pic.twitter.com/83flVC8ywp
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 12, 2022
Wooten first asked Mustaki if she would you like to apologise. Mustaki did apologise.
'Yeah absolutely, Obviously a massive lapse in judgement on our end. Lots going on when the final whistle went. We absolutely didn't intend to cause any hurt.
He then asked Mustaki how embarrassed the were players by this video.
"We're incredibly embarrassed," Mustaki said.
Wooten then wondered if players need education about these issues. He said:
'I guess it raises the question does it highlight the need for education on issues like this? Is that something you'd be for?'
Mustaki wasn't sure.
"Em....I don't really think so. We need to learn in these moments to be better and do better. We've all been brought up knowing a lot about Irish history. We need to be better."
Credit firstly to Mustaki - who doesn't appear in the video as far as we can see - for stepping up and answering the questions so forthrightly, and for batting back the 'education' question
Many viewers in this country found Wooten's tone highly off-putting. Perhaps we have selective memory but we struggle to remember British sporting figures held to such account on that channel for various lapses in judgment. The mention of 'education' in the context of history, given the legacy of the British empire in this country and many, many, many others was hard for some to take.
Vera Pauw also appeared on Sky Sports News to apologise over the video.
"It didn't matter if we intended or not, we should have known better" she said.
Pauw also said that she spoke to players who appeared in the video.
"I have spoken with the player that has put it on social media. She's devastated. She's crying in a room because she hurt people because she never meant it."
