Madam, – It is obvious from Tom Humphries’ “125 reaffirmations of the one true faith” (Lockerroom, Sports Monday, May 11th), that the love of his life is in serious decline. His 125 reasons to be cheerful sum up the naked fear GAA people have for the future of their games. It is one thing to lose out in Dublin, but to witness the demise of the games in rural areas must be hard to take.
The new reality is clear for all to see: the pull of professional rugby in Ireland is unstoppable. Only the English Premiership (football) can command the same level of all-Ireland, interest. And while most sports writers are content to make fair comment on the games they cover, GAA writers regularly attempt to talk up the skill levels of players who simply wouldn’t make it on the international stage.
For most of his broadcasting career, the late Mícheál O’Hehir made his name through painting a picture for his radio listeners, and he was, undoubtedly, very good at it. He created local heroes in the minds of his listeners.
Now, numerous TV cameras bring the games to our living rooms and we make our own judgments, based on what we see. Perhaps that is why Mr Humphries continues to whistle in the dark. The inferior product has been exposed for what it is, despite the “made in Ireland” tag. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Great list from Tom Humphries, especially No 28.
It should be a compulsory part of the Leaving Cert syllabus. But what subject? English? History? No, it has to be religion. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Does Tom Humphries need to use the Christian Holy Name (No 78 of 125 reasons to love the games), in order to demonstrate that he is a hilarious writer? – Yours, etc,