Sir, - Life on the missions here in Nigeria, especially in Ibadan and Kano, is just about getting back to normal again after the two wonderful weeks during which both cities hosted the Irish youth team and their mentors, led by Brian Kerr and his assistant, Noel O'Reilly. Here in Ibadan the local people took the squad to their hearts. Since the squad returned home after being eliminated in Kano, their three Nigerian assistants, whom they renamed Sean Og, Theresa and Henrietta, have been nursing a host of fond memories of their visit.
They were magnificent sporting ambassadors and their approachable manner earned them respect everywhere they went. They warmed to the friendliness of the Nigerian people and they succeeded in tapping into a rich fund of goodwill that has been cultivated over the years by Irish missionaries who have been working in Ibadan since 1913, when Irish OLA sisters first arrived here. They were joined in 1928 by the first Irish SMA missionary to work here, Mayo-born Fr Pat Hurst, in 1958 by the St Louis Sisters and in 1963 by the Medical Missionaries of Mary Sisters, whose medical facilities at Eleta hospital were put at the disposal of the team during their visit. At various times the White Fathers, the Dominicans, the Jesuits and the Redemptorists have all contributed handsomely to the growth of the Church in this archdiocese.
Those of us who were privileged to mingle with the officials, the players and the impressive number of Irish journalists who covered the tournament will never forget those two weeks of sporting excitement on the mission fields. The players and the management made us feel proud to be Irish and to be missionaries. Those who were in Kano on the day they were eliminated by Nigeria will have especially fond memories of the memorable and emotional tribute paid to the people of Nigeria and to Irish missionaries by Brian Kerr during the reception in Our Lady of Fatima Hall. May they bring further pleasure to Irish people everywhere and may they continue to proclaim a message of respect and fair play to all nations. - Yours, etc., Fr Martin O'Farrell SMA, SMA Fathers,
Ibadan, Nigeria.