Madam, – I believe the letters published in response to Tom Humphries’ Lockerroom column on rugby (Sports Monday, April 27th), affirm his reasons for writing what he did. I hope they act as an encouragement for him to pursue this campaign.
We could even look at revoking Irish citizenship from those who publicly, or clandestinely, promote the promulgation of this alleged sport. – Yours, etc,
BARRY LAWLER,
Kill,
Co Kildare.
Madam, – Some of your readers may be familiar with a creature often to be found on internet forums, the Wind-Up Merchant (WUM). The WUM takes great pleasure in making deliberately provocative statements with a view to stimulating an angry response. They are unfortunately all too prevalent in cyberspace.
It seems, however, that this odious species has spread its wings and is now appearing in more traditional media outlets. I have noticed, for instance, that one of the occasionally more amusing sports writers of your parish, Mr Tom Humphries, has been replaced by Tom Humphries (WUM), someone given to making snide observations about rugby football, while at the same time extolling the admittedly innumerable virtues of those practising the “indigenous” sporting pursuits of our island.
Perhaps, whatever steps are necessary could be taken to reinstate the original Mr Humphries in place of Tom Humphries (WUM). I realise, of course, that my D4 address automatically disqualifies me from being taken seriously in this or any other matter, but I suspect I’m not the only rugby supporter who feels like this. – Yours, etc,
PETER O’SULLIVAN,
Cranmer Place,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.