Sir, - I agree with and applaud most of the sentiments expressed by Adrian Lynch (Letters, October 8th) when he highlights the hard work, dedication and passion displayed by all who play and give their time to develop the game across the country, adult and children alike. He states that those good and lucky enough to be picked to represent their county provide role models for every young child aspiring to be a county player.
However, what he says serves exactly to emphasise my point. The brawl that ensued between senior players, during what was to be the high point of the football year, was hardly the example of role models.
This behaviour, in full view of the nation, must have been an embarrassment at least to those who give their time and energy to encouraging and assisting young players to play the game. Making light of the event by attempting to put it in a context of a stressful and high tension atmosphere does not excuse it. If anything, the profile of the event should have been such that this type of behaviour would be unthinkable.
When we abandon skill in favour of force, we have lost the fundamental point of sport. It demeans the game, the participants and spectators alike. Indeed, it is a very short step from violence on the field to violence on the street.
With regard to Joe Harvey's reference to the "so called violence" as a "storm in a teacup", I would be interested to hear what Mr Harvey regards as "real" violence. He would presumably advise someone who has been mugged to "stop crying over spilled milk". The worrying thing [about this sentiment is that it represents an apparent acceptance, that a certain level of violence is the norm.
Mr Harvey misses the point completely when he advises me to switch off my TV set. Turning your back on it won't make it go away. If we as a society aspire to a civilised way of life, we must reject violence in all its forms and condemn and repudiate it whenever and wherever we encounter it. That this event was a highpoint in the national calendar makes condemnation even more necessary. - Yours, etc.,
Crosthwaite Park West, Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.