Armagh County Camogie Board decides to carry out ‘full investigation’ into IRA chanting video

The video appears to show the Armagh camogie team after their victory in the Junior All-Ireland championship on Saturday.

It shows about a dozen women in Armagh tops jumping up and down apparently chanting, “Ooh, aah, up the Ra”.

On Monday night Upper Bann DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley described the victory as “a huge achievement” but said the chanting was “another inexcusable example of IRA glorification within gaelic games”.

The GAA declined to make any comment.

However the Camogie Association said it was “aware of this matter and are currently investigating it and therefore will not be commenting on it at this time”.

Armagh Camogie also issued a statement to the News Letter.

“An issue has arisen following our game on Saturday,” it said. “Armagh County Camogie Board have met last night and have agreed they will be carrying out a full internal investigation in regards to this matter. We will be making no further comment at this time.”

Yesterday DUP Group Leader on Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, Councillor Billy Walker, expressed disappointment at his council’s decision to write to the Armagh Camogie team, congratulating them on their victory.

“I have already registered my strong protest at this action with the Council Chair today and I appreciate that she will give me an opportunity to outline this position at the next Council meeting,” he said.

The victory had been “completely overshadowed by the disgraceful actions which emerged subsequently” he added.

However Independent councillor Jarlath Tinnelly said the decision to write to the team was taken unanimously before news of the chanting had broken.

“My preference”, he said, “Would be for the congratulations to be sent to the team in parallel to the Camogie Association investigation.”

Alliance Newry and Armagh representative Jackie Coade also welcomed the investigation. “Scenes like this do nothing for building good community relations and I am deeply shocked and dismayed after seeing the video,” he said.

However Armagh Camogie told the Belfast Telegraph it firmly rejected any suggestion that there was any IRA chanting following the match.

“What they were singing was up Armagh,” it said.

“Armagh County Camogie are a sporting body and do not associate ourselves with any political organisation.”

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