Sir, – What surpasses the heartache is deep pride (“All Black magic derails Ireland’s Rugby World Cup dream”, Sport, October 16th).
Thank you to the squad and management team, supporters, et al, for the excitement, belief and sense of community you have given us. – Yours, etc,
ANNE O’SHEA,
Dundrum,
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Co Dublin.
Sir, – After Ireland once again failed to win a Rugby World Cup quarter final, all rugby fans in Ireland now know what it’s like to be a Mayo football fan. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN CULLEN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – We owe a massive national thank you to a wonderful Irish team, who gave us hours of national pride at a time of world gloom. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS MORRIS GORMALLY,
Rathangan,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Now that the curtain has come down on the valiant efforts of our wonderful rugby team, can I just say that it makes a joke of the competition when the four best sides meet each other in the quarter finals. – Yours, etc,
DEE DELANY,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.
Sir, – Ireland’s men have embarked upon their two most recent Rugby World Cup campaigns ranked first in the world. In fact, since World Rugby rankings began in 2003, Ireland have averaged between second and third on the eve of the sport’s flagship tournament.
And yet despite this lofty top three pedigree, the team has consistently failed to progress beyond the last eight of a sport with scarcely eight credible competitors.
While the Irish public rightly laments the presently dire state of the men’s national soccer team, the chasm of esteem in which the respective codes are held seems excessive. – Yours, etc,
ALAN MURPHY,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – If this is deflation, give me inflation every time! – Yours, etc,
BRIAN FALTER,
Ballyshannon,
Co Donegal.