A chara, - The European Soccer Championship has just ended and the images of Figo, Ronaldo, Zidane et al are all still fresh in our minds.
Even the advertisements are full of their wondrous deeds!
It is therefore reassuring to note the large attendances at GAA matches over the weekend and in particular the 67,139 that attended the Ulster final in Páirc an Chrocaigh.
However, as the Ulster Council celebrate their massive cash bonanza, perhaps they should pause for a moment and reflect on their policies.
We have long been accustomed to the FAI's insatiable greed - one need only remember their sordid deal with Sky Television to understand this - but is the GAA going in the same direction?
I, like many others, looked forward to supporting my native county on Sunday in the Ulster final.
I had intended to bring six children all between the ages of 6-10. I rang Páirc an Chrocaigh ticket office on Thursday morning to make sure that family tickets were available, including children's tickets for €5.
I had also noted the advertisement in that morning's newspapers publicising same from Páirc an Chrocaigh.
However, when I got to the ticket office I was told that the advertisement was a mistake and that no children's tickets were to be sold from Páirc an Chrocaigh on the direction of the Ulster Council.
Therefore the ticket cost for two parents and their six children was €200. That is simply too much.
I would ask the authorities at Páirc an Chrocaigh the following. Were they aware of the Ulster Council decision, and if so, did they condone it?
If not, why did they not overturn it, as they had the power to do so?
Tá sé deacair sa lá atá inniu ann an cultur Gaelach a chur chun cinn.
Is bocht an scéal é mura dtugann Cumann Luthchleas Gael tacíocht dúinn leis an suim seo a mhuiscailt san aos óg.
The competition for the hearts and minds of our children has never been so intense.
Last week the Ulster Council motto was clearly: Get the money in, Keep the children out.
I would suggest a variation of the old Irish proverb would serve them better in future: "Meall an óige agus tiocfaidh sí". - Is mise,
AONGUS Ó CASAIDE, Páirc Raimile, Baile an Mhuileann, Átha Cliath 6.