Sir, - Perhaps it was unwise of pundits to describe the recent election results as the end of Civil War poilitics, given that whole families and villages are already fairly evenly divided into the pro-Keane and pro-McCarthy camps. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL McCABE,
St Augustine Street,
Dublin 8.
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A chara, - Potentially Roy Keane has done a tremendous service to coaches, mentors, managers, party leaders and parents everywhere if they use his case to show that a team is just that, a team, and in the interests of that team, nobody, no matter how good they are (or how well-paid) can be allowed to disrupt matters. I have a 16-month-old boy who indulges in the same level of professionalism as Mr Keane to get what he wants.
I urge all leaders not to capitulate to the petulance of prima donnas. Well done, Mick and the rest of the team. Already you may have done this country a great service. - Yours, etc.,
HARRY CLEARY,
Clones,
Co Monaghan.
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Sir, - I am writing this to express my disgust at the actions of manager Mick McCarthy in relation to Roy Keane. I feel that the entire soccer-supporting population of Ireland has been given a poke in the eye by McCarthy, who has been quoted as saying Keane "should be playing in the World Cup because he is one of the best players in the world". And this was a comment made only hours before he was sent home because of a "slanging match" over facilities.
Roy Keane is probably the best captain that the Irish team has ever had (including "Captain Fantastic" McCarthy). No one else has had the success at the levels that Keane has and this experience is crucial to the team. Keane's outspoken nature is well known and McCarthy should have been prepared for it - especially considering the pressures to perform that the entire squad is under.
I was looking forward to watching the World Cup. Right now I don't think I'll bother.- Yours, etc.,
TIM McAULIFFE,
Boston,
USA.
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Sir, - What kind of shortsighted, poorly focused management dismisses its (our) star performer before the World Cup? On a plane back home is our only chance of qualifying for the next round - and the European Championships as well.
While watering that pitch down, turn the hose on the Irish football management team, please! - Yours, etc.,
CIARÁN DYAR,
Dublin 7.
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A chara, - How could Roy Keane do this to us? He got angry and couldn't keep his tongue under control. So now he has hurt most what he loves the most, and his actions have led to us losing a wonderful piece of our World Cup jigsaw.
Perhaps what becomes most clear out of all this is that what he loves (or hates?) the most is himself. After all these years, he still hasn't learnt that football is a game played by a team of 11 people, not one. - Yours, etc.,
Yours etc.,
GARETH GORDON,
Cardiff,
Wales.
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Sir, - Roy Keane's comments in his interview with Tom Humphries (The Irish Times, May 22nd) will strike a chord with many who try to deliver care within our dysfunctional health service. Many talented Irish people leave the country, train and work abroad, and then want to return and serve their fellow citizens. Roy's account of the pre-tournament arrangements reflects the whole country and how it functions. For the FAI, its functionaries and camp-followers, substitute Government, central and local, and the public service.
Professionalism, as exemplified by Roy , is not well understood or valued in those quarters. Sadly, we remain a relatively talented people who consume too much alcohol and whose affairs are gloriously mismanaged right to the top. Without a sea-change in attitude I cannot see us winning a World Cup or developing proper public services. Thank you, Roy, for giving us some meaningful insight and congratulations on your recent honour. - Yours, etc.,
PETER A. DALY,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
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Sir, - Will the former Irish soccer captain be now known as "Keane-no"? - Yours, etc.,
RORY J. WHELAN,
Dublin Road,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
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Sir, - Roy of the Moaners. - Yours etc.,
CON SHERIN,
Washington Park,
Dublin 14.