Madam, - In the run-up to next Saturday's rugby international there has been much pontificating about what flags should be flown and what anthems should be played.
I take Killian Kelly's point (February 17th) that the Tricolour was always meant to represent the whole island. Unfortunately, it has long ago been hijacked by the more thuggish elements of Northern nationalism and has particular connotations for unionists. In the South, the Tricolour is used by rugby and soccer supporters as an advertising medium for pubs, discos, garages, supermarkets and God knows what else.
Perhaps the approach of the Irish Cricket Union is the most sensible one. This sport, which like rugby, includes players from both sides of the border in its national teams, uses neither the Tricolour nor the Ulster Red Hand symbol on its flag at representative matches, but rather a navy blue flag with a shamrock motif.
If we could get the flag thing out of the way, we could then concentrate on finding an all-embracing "anthem" - anything but the dreadful Ireland's Call! - Yours, etc,
LOUIS HOGAN,
Glendasan Drive,
Harbour View,
Wicklow Town.
Madam, - Dick Keane of Glenageary (February 17th) appears so keen to satisfy "the rights and sensibilities" of "the unionist rugby fraternity", that he would just as soon have The Sash as Amhrán na bhFiann played at Croke Park.
I feel obliged to differ with him. The Sash my father Wore has for years been a favoured "loony-tune" of a body of bigots that at best demeaned and at worst terrorised their neighbours in the north east of this island. Amhrán na bhFiann, whether Mr Keane likes it or not, is the national anthem of a free and democratic nation.
To equate one with the other is as puerile as it is insulting. - Yours, etc,
CHARLES HAYES,
East Ferry,
Midleton,
Co Cork.
Madam, - When I was young, most of my friends and myself were poor and it was a rare treat when one of us had a real ball to play with. When we had a real ball, teams would be selected and would line up, and the excitement was tangible. We were all stars. Unfortunately, occasionally, the owner of the ball would sometimes get "the hump" for some real or imagined slight or injury. Inevitably, he would grab "his" ball and head home leaving us all utterly disappointed; game over. I would like to think that those ball owners have since grown up and would not behave in a similar manner today.
JJ Barrett, however, reminds me of that ball owner. He is entitled to get the hump and take his ball (medals, in this case) home, but let him do it silently and kindly leave the rest of us alone. Most Irishmen feel passionately about what happened on Bloody Sunday. We don't need JJ, even though he is an All-Ireland winner, to sermonise us. Why doesn't he stick some cotton wool in his ears for the playing of the English national anthem? Or better still, polish his medals. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL O'DRISCOLL,
Belmont Terrace,
Old Youghal Road,
Cork.
Madam, - It is interesting to hear all of the con-fab about the prospect of God Save the Queen being played in Croke Park next Saturday.
However, it is worth noting that it was played in Croke Park in 2003 at the Special Olympics. I don't recall a single dissenting voice or line of newspaper print.
Perhaps this current hysteria has more to do with the fear that England might actually beat us on our most Irish of Irish soil? - Yours, etc,
EUGENE CALLAN,
Woodlawn Park,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Madam, - Further to the debate surrounding Saturday's match, kindly note the following:
1. Rugby is the principal team sport representing the whole of Ireland.
2. Taxpayers' money went into Croke Park and it is therefore not the sole property of the GAA. - Yours, etc,
LIAM MEEHAN,
La Vista Avenue,
Killester,
Dublin 5.