Sir, – If John B Reid (February 28th) is a genuine rugby fan, he really should realize that the Irish rugby team is a beacon of sense and realism in a sea of darkness and ignorance. If he cannot see the sense in the current arrangement, where a world-class team uses a neutral anthem to enable all traditions to claim ownership, then he should move his support to the other traditions where the Tricolour or union flag are flown. Of course he would have to content himself with the choice of either being beaten off the field or playing a mongrel code when it comes to international matches. – Yours, etc,
JOHN ROGERS,
Ballydorey,
Rathowen,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – John B Reid seems to be labouring under the mistaken impression that the Irish rugby team is the national team of the Republic of Ireland. If this were the case, then it would be only proper for Amhrán na bFiann to be played at all matches, irrespective of location. But it is not.
As with many other sports, rugby is organised on an all-Ireland basis and the Irish team is not just the team of the Republic, nor even of Irish nationalists, but of the island of Ireland as a whole. Ambiguity between the island and the State is a constant cause of controversy, but the IRFU has correctly recognised that Irish rugby draws support from all traditions on the island.
The current policy that Ireland's Call be played at away matches is entirely proper, as it reflects the cross-jurisdictional nature of the sport and does not favour one jurisdiction over another. To play the anthem of the Republic in addition at away games would reintroduce politics into a sport that has made a virtue of remaining above the constitutional question.
Amhrán na bFiann is played at home games in the Republic in honour of the State. The only inconsistency in this policy is that no State anthem is played in Belfast, which implies that games in Ravenhill are not "home" games. The honourable solution to this inequity is to play Danny Boy at Ravenhill in the same capacity that Amhrán na bFiann is played in Lansdowne Road's Aviva Stadium.
Whether or not one finds Ireland's Call sufficiently rousing, it performs a vital function in keeping divisive politics out of Irish sport. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW GALLAGHER,
Trimbleston,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – Whether or not the playing and singing of the IRFU's compromise anthem Ireland's Call at international rugby matches stimulates players and spectators alike should be irrelevant. Like our national flag, our anthem should not, under any circumstances, be compromised.
It is also my view that those players honoured by being selected to represent this nation in any sport and who feel unable to respect our anthem and flag should do the honourable thing and refuse to play.
Furthermore, the Government should make it unambiguously clear to the IRFU that the national anthem of Ireland is Amhrán na bhFiann not Ireland's Call . – Yours, etc,
TOM COOPER,
Templeville Road,
Dublin 6w.