Madam, – I cannot be the only person disgusted at the huge amount of empty seats at the Ireland-South Africa rugby international, particularly in the schoolchildren’s section, especially as it had no reflection on the amount of interest in the game (Sports Monday, November 8th).
While the IRFU ultimately reneged on their decision about linked tickets, their refusal to lower the exorbitant cost of match tickets has resulted in seasoned rugby fans and active club members being priced out of the Aviva Stadium and offering their support to their national side.
Had reduced tickets been made available, even at a late stage, I have no doubt that the fixture would have sold out, which would undoubtedly have raised both the revenue and public opinion of the IRFU. Instead, however, they are becoming about as popular as the Government.
– Yours, etc,
Madam, – Writing as someone who has watched our national team at the altar of Irish rugby for 37 years, could the IRFU publicly apologise for Saturday evening’s sham? As a token of their regret, may I suggest they sell the remaining tickets for this Saturdays match against Samoa (of which there must be at least 25,000) at half-price? It would be great if the focus of these sales could be on the schoolchildren, so they too can enjoy the great experience of an international rugby event at this wonderful new arena. – Yours, etc,
Madam, — In light of your editorial “Rugby’s Own Goal” (November 3rd), and the sight of row upon row of empty seats at Saturday’s match, may I offer this advice to the IRFU, whose only goal now, clearly, is money.
Adopt, fully, the Ryanair model of online ticket selling, thus being able to vary the price of tickets according to demand.
This would have the added bonus of stopping ticket touts and ticket forgery as spectators would need to carry proof of identity and age.
Closely contested games are much more exciting and hence bigger crowd-pullers. As rugby is a game played by gentlemen, I suggest the teams need a gentleman’s agreement to keep the scores close and the lead alternating during play until, say, the last half-hour when the normal rules of sport may apply.
Remember, it is only a game. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – As a supporter of the Irish rugby and soccer teams, I have attended, with very few exceptions, every international fixture at Lansdowne Road for over 30 years. I was saddened to observe when turning to face our Tricolour for our national anthem to discover that the national flags of both countries were draped from the roof of the East Stand, like supporters’ banners.
With all of the expense in the construction of the Aviva Stadium, was it not beyond the wit of those responsible to erect a couple of decent flagpoles inside the stadium?
I was saddened at the lack of respect shown by supporters in the South Stand during the playing of the South African national anthem.
Equally, a young man sitting beside me had to turn and ask a man twice his age to stop talking and respect Ronan O’Gara, as he was taking a penalty kick.
Let us all make an effort to project this new stadium with the pride of old decency. – Yours, etc,