THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland has apologised for any offence caused by an error which saw a map of Ireland refer solely to ‘Londonderry’ in the match programme of last night’s Euro 2025 play-off defeat to Wales.
A map of the island of Ireland was printed in the match programme last night, and used to illustrate the counties from which the various members of the women’s national team squad hail.
The map featured the names of counties printed in both English and Irish, with ‘Doire’ accompanied solely by ‘Londonderry.’
Derry native and former Ireland international James McClean reacted furiously, calling it “shameful” in an Instagram post.
“The match programme at last night’s Ireland v Wales game at the Aviva Dublin…disgusting, pathetic, insulting, hang your heads in shame you shower of arseholes”, posted McClean.
The FAI said this was a “genuine mistake”, and apologised for any offence caused.
“The wrong graphic was inadvertently used in an Ireland Women’s National Team match programme, this was a genuine mistake and the Football Association of Ireland apologises for any offence caused”, a spokesperson told The 42.
Earlier this year, the FAI apologised for a translation error in the match programme for the Irish men’s U21s Euro qualifier against Latvia, in which the names of some Latvian players appeared in bizarre terms, such as ‘Robert the Liar’ and ‘Dario Shit’.
Ireland’s players suffered heartbreak on the pitch in front of more than 25,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium, as a 2-1 defeat to Wales consigned them to a 3-2 aggregate loss and the fate of missing out on next year’s European Championship in Switzerland.
That’s the second big error they made recently. They look like a crowd of amateurs.
It’s a pity it happened but I feel it’s an overreaction from James McClean. I would be a lot more annoyed at the failure to qualify given how Vera Pauw was excoriated by Diane Caldwell after the last World Cup.
@Richard Ford: you definitely dont come where mcclean comes from so..not a overreaction whatsoever he has every right.
@Richard Ford: completely agree with your comment regarding Diane Caldwell
@Richard Ford: McClean was far too restrained on his choice of words.
More clowns than the kardashians…
Looks very much like the map on Wikipedia to me. Where else are the youngsters entrusted with such things supposed to get their information from?
I suppose its not actually wrong, since they changed it and people can request to have Londonderry on an Irish passport.
Oh get over yourself Mc Clean you absolute waste of space, all you’re good for is mouthing off about things you don’t like.
@The Firestarter: Just like you now? You’re obviously very young and don’t know Irish history so I will let you off with that OR you are not young and fairly tick?
I wondered how ireland slipped up against Latvia in the under 21 qualifiers. Now I have a fair idea :(