Sir, - I experienced both the trauma of Murrayfield and the subsequent wisecracks of the Scots, but some relief came that evening in a local eatery.
Confronted by the taunts of "Got a wee bit of a mauling today, friend," followed by uproarious laughter, a friend replied: "Well, at least we'll be at the World Cup!" This was followed by embarrassed silence from the Scots and uproarious laughter from the Irish contingent.
Now let's hope Mick McCarthy gets us there. - Yours, etc.,
Rory McCann, Rathmines, Dublin 6