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

Ok. So why do SF supporters have an issue with the song?

Can't speak for them all but for me it's because a national issue has been made from SF supporters criticising a song.

They've essentially been accused of supporting terrorism... because they criticised a pop song.

People criticize songs on Twitter on the time for God's sake!!!

Yes but unfortunately for you this isn't Twitter, so you have to come up with a rational defence for your irrational rant or else you'll be made to look a fool pretty quickly.

I do feel for you though, it's so not fair not to be able to dismiss anyone who doesn't share your view with an eff off. Maybe stick to Twitter.

I've given several fair and valid critiques of the song.

That said, I still like it, I mean how could any one song be expected to capture every nuance of the troubles, or any conflict?

It certainly doesn't mean those interpretations led to 'supporting terrorism'.

You know you're defending the indefensible here, that's why you won't allow the comparison with Band Aid.

But you haven't given an explanation as to why SF supporters have an issue with the song. You said the song is a problem for the IRFU as it alienates SF supporters. Why does it alienate them?

What's indefensible about my position? I think it's a good song and it's great that Irish fans are singing it.

I have no knowledge of criticism of Band Aid so I cant comment on it. Start a thread, put up some links and I'll check it out. But this thread is about Zombie.

I haven't said that at all but you'll keep trying I guess.

For me as a SF voter, my issue is not with the song, I quite like it.

My issue is that everyone else can criticize songs on Twitter.

Plenty do, and lots else besides.

But when a bunch of SF supporters do it, it's a national issue and they support terrorism.

Now that's not at all problematic is it?

Hold on now not so far back in this that rugby supporters were being called west brits, you can’t have it every way.

should have stuck with the classics

SF supporters are free to criticise the song all they want. What I'm asking is why are they criticising it? What is their issue with this particular you song? You keep dodging that question.

Some posters have said they think its crap/bad/awful song. Someone mentioned they can't stand Dolores' voice. That's all fine. Its music and everyone has different tastes. But was is SF issue with the song?

I think Tagdh Hickey, a failed comedian an actor nobody has heard of, was talking about Cork, where he is from and knows best. He could have been talking about the massacre of innocent Protestants in Cork about a century ago, the forced emigration of others etc. What would the self confessed alcoholic Hickey know anyway? He was not even born or alive during the worst of the troubles. The only true thing he said was " If I could change something from my past, I’d take away all the hurt and terror I caused my loved ones when I was drinking and drugging."

I think that poor man has his own problems. Wouldn't be mocking him here by posting that nonsense.

You're right about one thing, I've never heard of Tadhg Hickey, but anyone who uses someone's past addiction as a stick to beat them with is pretty sick and twisted, particularly if the person is in recovery and doing their best to overcome their addiction. Wind your neck in and cop on.

I am not using it as a stick to beat him with, I just do not see why his opinion is held by some above others people opinions. He is entitled to his opinion, but what does he really know about N.I., and from where, seeing as he was not a adult when the troubles were happening? Someone said he is a comedian, fair enough, maybe he is just trying to make a name for himself to get on the telly or something? He is not as famous as the "Young Offenders" ( comedians from Cork) , maybe he wants to be? Or maybe he is one of them already?

Was he ever near any of the 16,000 bombs the terrorists exploded? Ever know anyone killed or injured? Ever inconvenienced by false bomb threats? Ever stopped getting off a plane abroad and questioned, as the name of the good people of Ireland was dragged through the mud by those who planted bombs? From what he said, it just sounded to me like he got his information from an Phoblocht? Most people in N.I. during the troubles, and most people south of the border during the troubles, certainly would not have agreed with him.

I wish him well in his career and battle to beat his addictions anyway, but I certainly do not find him funny (if indeed he is a comedian), nor do I find his utterances very insightful or thoughtful.

You write "Republicans didn't really care what religion you were"....tell that to the relative of those left behind from the many incidents where they targeted Protestant civilians. Relatively early in the conflict for example, in 1975, IRA members machine-gunned an Orange Hall in Newtownhamilton, killing five Protestants. In 1976, in Armagh, IRA members operating under the proxy name South Armagh Republican Action Force shot dead ten Protestant building workers in the Kingsmill massacre, having left the Catholic worker go. Also remember the LeMons restaurant bombing in the seventies,, the massacre of innocent church goers at Darkly, the Enniskillen Remberance day bombing etc. And the ethnic cleansing ( as perceived by many) along the border, which effectively resulted in the border being pushed back.

None of the bombing or attacks were in our name. All terrorism is wrong.

He seems a well balanced, likeable man, not big headed or arrogant like some sports stars are. Great to see him doing well at the weekend. Did you know that along with Jack Niklaus and Tiger Woods, he is one of only three players to have won four majors by the age of 25.