JOHN KELLY,
Sir, - I am writing as someone who is a subscriber to Sky Sports and so will not be directly affected by this deal. However that doesn't lessen my outrage at this betrayal of the loyal Irish supporters by the FAI. Notwithstanding my continued access to these matches, I will not be watching them on a foreign station while they are not made available live on terrestrial TV. and I call on all other Sky Sports subscribers to do the same.
With the Keane affair, the Eircom Park affair and the general poor health of the local game, it is clear that the FAI is no longer a fit body to run this great game in this jurisdiction. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN KELLY, Belgrave Square, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
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Sir, - Having cancelled my subscription to Sky Sports 1, 2 and 3, please allow me to call for non-attendance at any of the Ireland home games. - Yours, etc.,
PETER W. RYAN, Maplewood Road, Springfield, Dublin 24.
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Sir, - What planet is Brendan Menton living on? The FAI's general secretary wants us all to gather in public places to watch Ireland's European Championship qualifiers. May I point out just two reasons why this is not on.
Firstly, the Garda probably wouldn't allow it on "safety grounds". Remember, the Irish team's homecoming had to be diverted to the Phoenix Park because the Garda wasn't in a position to provide proper crowd control in the streets. Secondly, in case Mr Menton hasn't noticed, this is Ireland - it rains! Still, I suppose Mr Menton and the rest of the FAI spend so much time in the clouds that the never notice.
I think it's time for the FAI to recognise that it has made an enormous blunder in doing the deal with Sky. Despite what Mr Menton says about not wanting children in pubs, it is the natural consequence of the decision. It affects older people too. There are many who got great enjoyment out of watching Ireland in the recent World Cups and were looking forward to the next series of matches. Now, their only options are to pay €40 a month to Rupert Murdoch, go to a pub, or sit in the rain at one of Mr Menton's open-air parties - what a choice!
RTÉ must shoulder some blame for this fiasco - and the other main culprit is Bertie Ahern's Government. It has sat on the legislation to "ring fence" certain sports events for three years and now the sound of stable doors being bolted is deafening. Also, it has underfunded RTÉ, undermining its bargaining position with the FAI.
The only way to make the FAI realise what a monumental mistake it has made is to boycott of the games that have been sold to Sky. Mr Murdoch's minions won't be too interested in the rights to matches played in an empty stadium. - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN O'REILLY, Castle Park, Clondalkin, Co Dublin.