Sir, - For years we as a sporting nation have been critical of the fact that we did not have proper facilities for our athletes to train in or a dedicated medical facility to treat sports injuries. Neither do we have a modern, all-seated stadium to host international fixtures (In Landsowne Road, scaffolding has to be erected to provide extra seating).
Now, when the opportunity arrives and the economy can just about afford it, I find it hard to believe that people whose playing days are over and who probably wouldn't know whether a ball was pumped or stuffed can level such criticism at this chance to give Ireland a modern stadium and bring us up to the standard of the rest of the nations of Europe.
We are a modern, progressive country. Let us show it and give our youth a level playing pitch with which to compete with the rest of the world. - Yours, etc.,
Tony Clyne, Courtown Harbour, Co Wexford.