The Copa Libertadores was finally won on Sunday as River Plate beat their fiercest rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra time in Madrid's Bernabeu stadium for a 5-3 on aggregate win.
After a final blighted by violence that forced the organisers to relocate the decided to a city 6,000 miles away from Buenos Aires in Argentina.
River Plate finally triumphed in the game but it was the post match celebrations that piqued the interest of some eagle eared listeners who noticed a familiar tune playing during the trophy presentation on the pitch.
The #CopaLibertadores 2018 Champions ðŸ†
âšªï¸ RIVER PLATE 🔴
A night none of these players or fans will ever, EVER, forget! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/glf1wdQTtu
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 9, 2018
The River plate players, believe it or not were signing the melody of ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’
The song was made famous during the First World War and has since been adapted by River fans into their club anthem, 'Tu Grato Nombre'.
There’s also a Boca Juniors link to Tipp - Paddy McCarthy was the first manager in 1905. He hailed from Cashel in Tipperary.
River Plate celebrate to the tune of “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” - a song written in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, in 1912. pic.twitter.com/fBzTe0jRv2
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) December 9, 2018
River Plate, tu grato nombre
¡Mirá el video por los 116 años!#CumpleRiver pic.twitter.com/OEdn6YGcFP
— River Plate (@CARPoficial) May 26, 2017
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