GERALD MORGAN, FTCD,
Sir, - If we are earnest in our desire for peace in these islands it is necessary to show more urgency, energy, and ingenuity in our efforts to lessen the ancient antipathy that still exists between England (and it is England, not Scotland and Wales) and Ireland. There are surely many ways of promoting friendship between the English and the Irish that remain largely untried. Given our recent success at rugby at provincial and international level, and at soccer in matching the Portuguese and Dutch, it is surely time for us to invite our sporting friends in England to try their hands at foreign sports.
Why not initiate an annual challenge match in Gaelic football at Croke Park on St George's Day (April 23rd) for the Bertie Bowl? I am sure that Michael Owen has the makings of a fine full forward. The arts of hurling are too difficult for the English to acquire in a short space of time, but a nation of cricketers should not be entirely without hope of acquiring them. What greater incentive could English footballers have than to test their skills against the world's best players at Croke Park?
I leave it to your readers to judge whether such notions are entirely fanciful. But it is absurd for us (English and Irish alike) to pontificate about a global struggle for freedom and democracy when we are unable to bring about peace between ourselves. - Yours, etc.,
GERALD MORGAN, FTCD,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.