A chara, - I write in strong support of Donal Spring's suggestion (Sport, October 4th) that The Fields of Athenry replace Ireland's Call as Ireland's song for the match against Australia next Sunday. It is obvious to me (as surely to many other Irish supporters) that Ireland's Call has failed to gain a place in the affections of the followers of Irish rugby, but when The Fields of Athenry was (belatedly) played at half-time during the match against the US, the response of the crowd was immediate.
I must confess that I listened with impatience and irritation to the nondescript music that consumed most of the half-time interval. Why not a feast of Irish music? Why not Danny Boy, The Banks, Molly Malone and (above all) There is an Isle? Can we not persuade the marvellous band of An Garda Siochana and the Army No 1 Band (no less splendid) to remain and play for us in front of a full house at half-time? The support for Ireland at Lansdowne Road is magnificent, but it needs to be encouraged and guided. I wish that the IRFU could be as inventive and dynamic in its presentation of the sights and sounds of Irish rugby as is our sponsor from the local brewery in its promotion of liquid refreshment. - Is mise,
Gerald Morgan, FTCD, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2.