Sir, – Fintan O’Toole lacks balance and perspective (“It took a working-class lad from Wigan to make me like rugby”, Opinion & Analysis, March 21st).
Some Catholic religious people preached and practised intolerance towards Protestants, gay people and other minority groups in his youth. Many more religious people, notwithstanding steadfast belief, advocated tolerance and acceptance.
Attitudes to racism and apartheid changed considerably within Irish rugby. Protests against the Springboks playing at Lansdowne Road in April 1965 and January 1970 were widespread. Many club members and supporters stayed away and in 1970 joined protest outside the ground.
Many players declined the summer 1981 tour to South Africa. Some who travelled later expressed regret for their decision. Ireland did not play South Africa again until the post-apartheid era in 1998. – Yours, etc,
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The Guildford Four’s Paddy Armstrong: ‘People thought I was going to be bitter and twisted when I came out of prison’
DENIS CAHALANE,
Blackrock,
Co Louth.