Madam, - Once again the West is to be humiliated.
I was an adequate rugby player in my time, having played for Galwegians (and the honour of a few Connacht caps) and remain a life member of that great club.
The IRFU threatens the extinction of Connacht provincial rugby and one wonders why. Is it a money-saving exercise, or do our rugby masters consider that the standard of rugby is not up to that of the other three provinces? The answer may be a mixture of both propositions.
In the meantime the proposal to scrap the provincial game is insulting to the memory of many people west of the Shannon. Down the years many good men played for their country, province and club. In my time, the game was run by the Glynns, Dodds, Crowleys, Deaceys, Griffins, Blakes and Littles - and there were of course many others down the years who were utterly dedicated to the game. Now the money men in Dublin have decided to say goodbye - but no thanks!
It is rather like the language used when some of our bigger employers close their factories without notice. Their PR mouthpieces make it sound as if they are doing the workforce a favour by making them jobless. Downsizing Connacht is unjust and utterly counter-productive to the health of the game in the West and should cease now.
The fortunes of all inter-provincial teams wax and wane over the years, but each province is entitled to its own representation.
Connacht has produced some great international rugby players. Is that honour to wear the green jersey to be denied to future generations through lack of opportunity to play for their own province? - Yours, etc.,
Avoca Park,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - The IRFU has done some lousy things in its history but this proposal is the lousiest thing of all.
Irish people, rise up against it - please! - Yours, etc.,
ANTHONY J. MORGAN,
Sandyford,
Co Dublin.