Ireland fans created a rowdy atmosphere after their victory over South Africa. Photo: PA/Gareth Fuller
The shooting didn't take long. to go viral with Irish fans and even players (step forward Peter O'Mahony) belting out the lyrics to The Cranberry's song. Zombie after Ireland's win over South Africa in Paris on Saturday night. The images accurately captured the spirit of a stormy, heady evening at the Stade de France and the raw emotions that followed.
However, the use of Zombies was not accidental. All teams are asked to provide opening and celebratory songs in the event of a victory, and in the event of a victory, the song «Zombies», which has recently been adopted as something of an unofficial Irish rugby anthem, was played over the stadium PA at the final whistle at the request of the IRFU. games.
How did a protest song about the Troubles become so famous? Well, it has nothing to do with the message rejecting political violence, that seems quite obvious.
Irish fans chose Zombie by The Cranberry as their Rugby World Cup anthem. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/Julien de Rosa 
Peter O'Mahony was pictured singing along to the iconic song as he soaked up the atmosphere. Photo: Getty Images/Brendan Moran
IRFU is resolutely apolitical. The «Ireland Call» was originally launched by the union before the 1995 World Cup precisely because the Irish Republic anthem Amhrán na bhFiann was considered offensive to some of its Northern Irish members.
The IRFU would not like to be seen as promoting any political agenda, especially after the scandal that erupted in Irish sport last year after its female players were fined for singing a song with the line «Ooh Ah Up the 'Ra With a win, Scotland will qualify for the World Cup.
The reason why Zombie was accepted is much simpler. According to an article in the Irish Times, following the premature death of singer Dolores O'Riordan in 2018, the Limerick band's songs were played as a sign of respect at sporting events across Ireland, but particularly in Limerick.
Obviously, Zombie has surpassed other songs like Linger and Dreams with its catchy, anthemic quality that allows fans of all ages and intoxication levels to get involved. From Limerick hurling (Ireland hurling player Keith Earls noted last week that the song's popularity has accompanied his home county's current All-Ireland hurling successes) it has been picked up by Munster Rugby, and from Munster Rugby to Irish Rugby.
Has Zombie ever sounded better? The character shown by this Irish team is inspiring. What a night pic.twitter.com/a2Cdx2kxOY
— Donal Lenihan (@LenihanDonal) September 23, 2023
After Saturday it has surely cemented its status as Ireland's World Cup anthem and will be watching every victory from here on out. V. What is the price of O'Mahony forcing the Irish fans to play an even more raucous version of the Zombies after another victory in the same stadium, possibly against the same opponents, on October 28?
One thing is certain: Andy Farrell's men will have a tough road ahead if they are to get there.
Ever since the draw for this tournament was announced almost three years ago, that much has been clear. they will have to face either France or New Zealand in the quarter-finals.
Since then, debate has raged about which would be preferable. Victory over the Boks significantly increased the likelihood of Ireland facing the All Blacks, provided they can first agree a difficult test against Scotland in two weeks.
Acquired wisdom will make you believe that this is an easier task. . Remember, New Zealand crushed South Africa in the pre-tournament warm-up. And they lost to France in the decider.
But a wounded New Zealand is as dangerous as it gets. And with Antoine Dupont potentially missing the quarter-finals, some may think now is the time to face the hosts.
Either way, it's clear that Ireland will have to play a number of «finals» if they want to progress through this tournament: South Africa, Scotland, New Zealand, likely followed by the winner of Group C, then France or the South. Africa again.
Unsurprisingly, Farrell and his captain Johnny Sexton were reluctant to get carried away with Saturday's victory. «It's all about Scotland now,» insisted Sexton, stone-faced, when asked about the possibility of facing New Zealand in the quarter-finals. «You can't look past the next game.»
The one thing Ireland have going for them is that they couldn't be in better form.
Not only did Farrell report a clean bill of health after the match, their precision and discipline in the contact area is such that they no disqualifications or injuries.
If there was one big takeaway from Saturday's test, it was that you can have an extremely physical fight without clashing heads and without endless trips to TMO. , with no cards being handed out left, right and centre.
This was partly due to the excellent refereeing of New Zealand's Ben O'Keeffe, and partly to the precision of both teams.
< p> Ireland conceded nine penalties that evening, South Africa — 11. And this despite a match that Mac Hansen, the Irish striker, described as “a Grand Slam on steroids.”
“There were ebbs and flows. the ups and downs and how we managed to stay grounded was the most enjoyable part,» Pharrell reflected. «We're very good at not getting emotional.»
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