The emergence of "Zombie" by The Cranberries as an Irish sporting anthem

First off I corrected and said it's being used 'politically' but anyways....

A) It could be offensive if used to only condemn those who committed atrocities on one side of the conflict. I get that, see the outrage when Tr**p claimed there was wrong on both side in Charlottesville. Same logic applies here.

B) It could be offensive if it's perceived to be referring to all nationalists as 'Zombies'. People might support nationalism and be anti-violence. People might identify, or be identified as nationalists, because of their background and still not feel atrocities were carried out in their name.

I don't think at all that these were Delores' intentions, but I can see it.

Again, just play 'Dreams' and leave the politics out of it. I'd imagine the IRFU has a say over what songs are played at Ireland matches, 'Dreams' works better as a sporting song anyway.

That is unbelievable rubbish.

What a load of shite all of this is.

Its a great, famous tune, that's easy for people to sing along too. That's the reason it's popular.

No ones singing it to annoy people. They're singing it, as it sounds great with a crowd sing along.

If people want to be offended, good for them. The real reason that most are offended, is that they don't like rugby, and aren't happy to see people having a great time while at the rugby

The only people that Zombie goads are idiots who think that killing children with bombs is a good thing.

If you do something that triggers angry meatheads freaking out online then you've done something right

Nonsense. Maybe some people think it's better to keep politics out of sport. I don't support the Wolfe Tones being sung either.

I know 99.99% of Rugby fans don't give a shite about the lyrics and it's not done to rile others but the fact is it has triggered debate particularly in the north.

I don't think that's a good place for any sport to be hanging around in.

If Rugby is above all that then stay above it.

Otherwise get in to the trenches of Irish politics.

Again you miss the point completely.

The mere fact that there has been radio and TV discussion on this in the north, in the print media here, even this thread should tell you that this not a good route to go down.

It only deepens division, it's not good for Rugby or any sport to be intentionally or otherwise getting in to these trenches.

It helps no one.

I said the exact same thing when the Irish women's team stupidly were singing 'Up the Ra'.

It's all toxic.

You say "Zombie" has triggered debate particularly in the north. You are wrong there. The debate was triggered in N.I years ago, when the like of "Fields of Athenry" was sung. Fields of Athenry is subtly racist and anti-British, it is dragging up old bitterness against the British, British brutality in sending starving Irish to Oz etc. If I was from a British background in N.I. and a resident and taxpayer in the UK ( and under the terms of the G.F.A. people there have a right to identify as they want ), I would not be impressed with what could only be perceived as a depressing anti-British ( British bad, Irish the victim ) being chanted / sung. Northern prods may not want to put their heads above the parapet and criticize it but I do not blame any of them for feeling uncomfortable when it is being sung, as the people who sing it loudest also sing celtic symphony loudest. The famine is long over, nobody that is alive now was alive then (by a long shot), time to stop singing about it.

The good thing about Zombie is that is not about politics, it is anti-terrorism.... as someone else said, it is a protest song against the murder of children.

Why is it a problem that we have all been reminded of the atrocity committed in Warrington?

What divide is the song deepening? Between those that believe killing children is good and those that believe it isn't?

You conveniently forget the partition of this country, Loyalist pogroms against catholics in the north in the 1960's and early 70's, all those burned out of their homes, and certain events involving the British army etc...always conveniently ignored by those who have zero comprehension of what it was like up there for people, many of whom had to flee to this state.

How far do you want to go here?

Do you condemn the rugby fans for singing the Fields of Athenry?

A lot of the younger SF cranks have been brain washed in to a revionist view of the troubles. During the troubles, S.F. only got 1 or 2% of the vote south of the border. No TDs.

No we have the SF leader in N.I. still proclaiming there was "no alternative" to IRA violence. She still attends and gives speeches at commemorations of terrorists. Would it not be unreasonable to suggest a lot of SF - and more than likely most - would take their opinions / views of the troubles / pira from the SF leadership and their supporters, and would agree with the leadership of SF on same?

Yes I know there are some people who vote SF because it is a housing or protest vote etc, but I would still imagine some of the propaganda of SF has soaked in, in most case of "Shinner cranks" as someone called them.