Sir, - The scoreboard reveals so little of the mighty display of determination demonstrated by our lads in Suwon on Sunday. What a heart-stopping, emotional finish to a magnificent performance. Mick McCarthy's men have won all our hearts and our gratitude. Ireland is so proud of you, lads. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir. - Yours, etc.,
JOSEPHINE McARDLE,
The Derries,
Athlone,
Co Westmeath.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - At the risk of sounding churlish or blasphemous, I must say I have been unmoved by the display of the Irish team in the World Cup. We drew with Cameroon, a team with a hilarious blend of skill and naïvety, and then snatched a last-minute equaliser against the worst German side in history (remember Germany 1, England 5?). Saudi Arabia looked like a team that would struggle in the League of Ireland, and our three goals against them scarcely rank as any sort of achievement.
In the second round, we were saved countless times by the linesman's flag, only to have our lack of individual strength cruelly exposed in the penalty shoot-out. (And remember, Spain will never win anything.)
Aside from that, there is no truly outstanding team in this tournament, making it the most mediocre World Cup in living memory. - Yours, etc.,
MARK HARKIN,
Gracepark Heights,
Gracepark Road,
Dublin 9.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - Gardaí in Dublin, unlike their counterparts in other major cities such as like Manchester, Liverpool and Milan, doubt they have the competence to deal with a large, mainly happy crowd welcoming home a soccer team around their city streets.
Given their last experience in dealing with a large, mainly happy crowd around the College Green area last month, I share their doubts. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN O'SHEA,
Westfields,
North Circular Road,
Limerick.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - Last month a crowd estimated at up to 300,000 thronged the streets of Islington, North London to celebrate the victory parade of Arsenal FC following their Premiership and FA Cup double. The event was policed safely and effectively by the London police.
It seems incredible that An Garda Síochána is apparently admitting that it is incapable of doing the same. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN BROGAN,
Liffey Dale,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - Having read the rather limp excuse from Guinness's director of corporate affairs, Pat Barry (June 15th) for the besmirching of our national flag by a crass marketing campaign, may I suggest the following as suitable mitigation of the insult done to both flag and country?
Given the massive profits being made by Guinness during the World Cup, it would be highly appropriate for it to donate at least €100,000 to each of Garry Kelly's and Niall Quinn's testimonial funds for the support of hospitals in Ireland and Britain.
I think that this would more effectively make amends for the offence given than the few boxes of logo-less flags offered by Mr Barry. - Yours, etc.,
JUSTIN KILCULLEN,
Shrewsbury Hall,
Shankill,
Co Dublin.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - I did not realise that the State borrowed the Guinness harp as its emblem in 1922. What an appropriate choice! Isn't the country run by pulling strings? - Yours, etc.,
PADDY O'SULLIVAN,
Bandon,
Co Cork.