KEVIN BURKE,
Sir, - The article by Brendan Menton, general secretary of the FAI, in your edition of July 13th, merely confirmed one thing: the FAI agreed the deal with Sky for one reason only - money. There is no mention anywhere of the fans except for the remarkable suggestion that watching delayed coverage shouldn't be a problem, since we do it all the time with the Premiership and that it would occur only "four times in two years".
Might I remind him that Ireland's forthcoming campaign runs for 12 months, during which time alone we will play at home (and on Sky) four times? And as he talks about "genuine fans" so much, surely he should know that no genuine Ireland fan could sit around while a match is being played. Can you imagine sitting around while Ireland play their last home match in September 2003, needing a win to qualify for Euro 2004? Can you imagine trying to avoid the news, and, most of all, the celebrating (or not) fans on the streets? The Premiership is a hobby for people who call themselves fans; Ireland is a passion.
To suggest that we can make do with delayed coverage is insulting to everyone who has watched Ireland through their fingers.
Mr Menton goes on to suggest that a couple of weeks ago most genuine Irish fans would have welcomed such a move "with open arms". Why? As a UCD fan who goes to games every week up and down the country, I don't see why I should be pleased that coverage of my national team has been sacrificed just so the FAI has another couple of million to waste.
Are we really to believe that this money will suddenly allow the FAI to run itself in a competent manner? Are we really to believe that the era of failed stadium plans; incompetent administration (this is the same organisation which decided to start this season's league during the World Cup, presumably on the basis that Ireland wouldn't be involved - the start was quickly delayed after Ireland qualified); inadequate advertising (this is the same organisation which changed to summer soccer to get more fans involved, but then didn't bother to advertise the fact in any way); and scanty coverage (this is the same organisation which has asked TV3 to send one camera to two games and a full outside broadcast to another one game - thereby not covering 40 per cent of the fixtures in the Premier Division, let alone the First) is over? - Yours, etc.,
KEVIN BURKE,
Clonkeen Road,
Deansgrange,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, - Brendan Menton makes the point that watching recordings of matches soon after they have ended is now more the norm than live coverage, particularly with RTE and ITV showing the Premiership highlights each Saturday during the soccer season.
Surely he is not suggesting that watching edited highlights of the best from English club games, enjoyable as they are, compares with the multi-faceted family and community experience of seeing live coverage of Ireland taking on the top international sides in the World Cup and European Championship. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL CULLEN,
Albert Park,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.