Sir, – I heartily endorse the sentiments of Paddy Meany (August 12th) on the noise levels at Croke Park. I’ve noticed an increase in volume over recent years, although this was generally confined to advertisements from GAA sponsors being shown on the big screens. Now we have music of all kinds constantly being played at full blast. Not only does this racket affect those attending, it could be heard clearly during sideline interviews on the TV coverage of last Sunday’s hurling semi-finals. It appears to me that referees, on occasion, have to hesitate before throwing in the ball or sliotar, as if waiting for the music to be turned off. Surely the game and those playing it are the priority here, not the soundtrack which someone in GAA headquarters has decided must be inflicted upon all present?
To paraphrase a popular anthem, while the GAA may have envisaged “counting dollars” this summer, some of us just look forward to “counting (all-)stars”. And not being deafened in the process. – Yours, etc,
JA BROSNAN,
Headford,
Killarney,
Co Kerry