BRIAN STEWART,
Sir, - I refer to a letter from John Clarke (April 18th) setting out his views on the prospect of the GAA opening Croke Park to "imported codes". I note that Mr Clarke is not writing as a member of the GAA, having been expelled from that organisation 30 years ago. I think we can assume from the content of his letter that his expulsion was not as a consequence of being too broad-minded. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN STEWART, Forest Hill, Knocknacana, Galway.
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Sir, - It was a happy coincidence that, on the day you published my letter pointing out the general lack of understanding of the symbolism of the Tricolour, you also published, as if to reinforce that point, the letter from John Clarke rejecting rugby and soccer as merely "imported codes" (April 18th).
As Thomas Davis conceived it, the concept of nationality symbolised in our national flag "must contain and represent the races of Ireland. It must not be Celtic, it must not be Saxon - it must be Irish." Accordingly, rugby, soccer and hockey are, today, no less Irish than the games of the Gael.
The players and their supporters at Lansdowne Road are entitled to be cherished equally with those at Croke Park. The Tricolour flies proudly over them all - being a flag of union. - Yours, etc.,
JAMES McGEEVER, Dublin Road, Kingscourt, Co Cavan.
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Sir, - My advice to John Clarke (April 18th) is to remove the Bertie Bowl-sized chip from his shoulder, get out of his armchair (reserved for he who knows all about sport) and kick a ball around his garden, whatever the shape! - Yours, etc.,
SUSAN ROWE, Northbrook Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.