Sir, – Would Roy Keane criticise the Greek supporters if they were to support their losing team (assuming!) in the stoical manner of the Irish fans? After all, it’s also lonely round the fields of Athens, Roy. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – As a former competitive athlete I can empathise with Roy Keane’s criticism of Irish football fans celebrating defeat at Euro 2012. There is a line between losing gracefully, being sporting in defeat, as exemplified by the Irish rugby supporters following Ireland’s narrow defeat to the All Blacks last week, and basking in loss. One of the legacies of the dubious Celtic tiger boom was a welcome injection of national confidence. I believe from my experience in sporting competition that a lot of sporting success is psychological, and part of that mentality is a certain strutting cockiness, perhaps best exemplified by the Dublin All Ireland winners.
I think the Ireland football team is somewhat lacking in this department: they and their fans don’t expect success and surely don’t receive it. – Yours, etc,