Sir, – What concerns me most about multi martial arts is that this boorish, repulsive, brutal, so-called sport entertains such masses of supporters. – Yours, etc,
DERMOT ASHMORE,
Elliac,
France.
Sir, – As a daily reader of The Irish Times I was appalled at the amount of coverage – more than half a page – given to the spectacle in Las Vegas where Conor McGregor beat a man called Mendes into submission ("The man who would be king passes his toughest test yet", July 13th). The graphic description of this and other fights was more reminiscent of ancient Rome – or even the aftermath of a car accident. This "sport" does not fit the parameters associated with any form of recreation.
On a preceding page there were 110 words given to a strong Irish Olympic sport, rowing. Your Dublin-based correspondent spent three days in Inniscarra, Co Cork, watching the biggest ever Irish rowing championships. On the same weekend a dozen Rio hopefuls competed in a World Cup regatta in Switzerland. It would be appreciated if your sports department could give some more column inches to a real sport.
I hope this Monday’s coverage was an aberration in your otherwise excellent sports reporting. – Yours, etc,
IAIN KENNEDY,
Portora Royal School,
Enniskillen,
Co Fermanagh.