RTÉ has said it has no comment to make about a comedy that poked fun at a late Northern Ireland soccer team captain.
The new episode of Après Match of the Day focussed on the tense World Cup qualifier between the Republic and Northern Ireland in 1993.
Après Match of the Day, RTÉ says, brings back to life the matches "that defined three decades of glory with the type of post and pre-match analysis that we wish we'd had back then".
The RTÉ2 comedy has revisited the euphoria of Ireland's victory over Russia at Dalymount Park in 1974 and "the goal that defined a generation of hope" when Ray Houghton hit the net in the Giants Stadium in the US at the 1994 World Cup.
The programme on Monday focused on the intensity of the Northern Ireland v Republic match, played on November 17 1993, which was heightened by the political climate.
In the weeks leading up to the match, 23 people were killed in a series of shootings and bombings - including the Shankill Road bombing. There had been talk of moving the match away from Belfast to Old Trafford, Wembley or Italy.
In the latest episode, the Aprés team poked fun at local television news, ad breaks and presenters including Pat Jennings and Jackie Fullerton.
Its portrayal of former captain Alan McDonald left some viewers feeling uncomfortable. McDonald collapsed and died while playing golf at the Temple Golf Club near Lisburn in June 2012. He was 48.
Comedy match commentary included: "There you see the Northern Ireland team captained by Alan McDonald of Queen's Park Rangers, very fitting as he is very loyal to her majesty."
Asked if the programme's makers were aware that McDonald had died, RTÉ said it had "no comment to make on this".
The Irish Football Association also declined to comment on the programme, which attracted a mixed response from viewers.
Muiris Walsh? wrote on Twitter: "Was it really necessary to lampoon Alan McDonald given that the man is no longer with us #apresmatch other than that, very good as usual."
Father Ted writer Arthur Mathews? was among those on Twitter who appreciated the humour.
He wrote: "Sectarian Norn Iron v Republic commentary on Apres Match complete genius from @risteardc1 .Watched it over and over - painfully funny."
