Sir, – Whatever the merits of the North’s First Minister Peter Robinson’s praise of the GAA for its peace-building efforts, there is another code that could – maybe should – be playing a more significant role.
It is high time that more than just lip service is paid to the idea of having an all-Ireland soccer team. Considering that much of the most vehement sectarianism emanates from the soccer terraces, a move to a 32-county team might help to tackle this.
The bigger challenge perhaps would be finding success on the pitch; current form of both the Republic and Northern Ireland suggests a tough road ahead. The ugly side of the beautiful game. Soccer imitating life in general you might say. – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN CORRIGAN,
Lisacul,
Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.