“Hang your heads in shame.”
James McClean has criticised the use of “Londonderry” in the official programme for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2025 play-off against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.
The FAI have since apologised for referring to Derry as “Londonderry.”
The controversy arose from a map in the programme showing where Ireland players grew up or have family connections.
On the map, Derry is listed as ‘Londonderry‘. The six counties that comprise Northern Ireland were also in a different colour shade than the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland.
The reference sparked backlash, with Derry-native McClean taking to Instagram to express his anger.
The Wrexham player, who earned 103 caps for Ireland, called it “disgusting, pathetic, insulting,” and said that those responsible for the map should “hang your heads in shame.”
You can see the map, and McClean’s reaction, in the image below.
The match itself ended in heartbreak for Eileen Gleeson’s side, who lost 2-1 to Wales, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate defeat.
A Hannah Cain penalty in the 50th minute, following a VAR check for handball against Anna Patten, and Carrie Jones’ 67th-minute goal secured Wales’ place in next summer’s finals in Switzerland.
Despite a late surge, Ireland couldn’t find the equaliser they desperately needed.
Anna Patten scored with five minutes remaining, while Caitlin Hayes saw her injury-time header cleared off the line. Leanne Kiernan and Denise O’Sullivan both came close, but their efforts were thwarted.
The incident surrounding the programme has further added to the disappointment of a difficult night for Irish football.
According to RTÉ, the FAI have apologised for the error, saying that it was a “genuine mistake.”
An FAI spokesperson said:
“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.”
