Delaney apologises for singing Republican ballad

John Delaney has apologised for any offence caused by his singing of a Republican ballad in a video that emerged online this week.

The FAI Chief Executive was filmed singing 'Joe McDonnell' in a pub following Ireland's 4-1 defeat of the USA last week.

Delaney said: "If I had known on any occasion somebody would, in a sly way, tape me and try and use it in a way that represents you incorrectly, I would never have sang it."

"We all sing songs that we don't believe in every word, all the lyrics," he said. "I'm not violent and I've worked very closely to use football cross-border initiatives to break down barriers."

On the same night the video was shot, the FA had to apologise for their official band playing along with anti-IRA chants during England's win over Scotland at Celtic Park.

England are due to visit the Aviva in June.