Madam, – The inaugural Leinster match at the Aviva stadium on Saturday produced an evening to remember. While the well contested match was most enjoyable, a number of issues arose.
First, before the match started the Leinster team were welcomed on to the pitch with a shower of fireworks from pitch level. The resulting smoke failed to dissipate and obscured our view of the play from the upper east stand for the first 10 minutes of the match. Second, while we belatedly had a good view of the pitch, the big screen and scoreboard were completely obscured by the supporting struts of the roof. We were unable to view any of the replays or indeed keep track of the score – for €40 you’d expect more. Third, every time the home team scored a point our ears were assaulted with a fanfare deserving of an early arrival for Ryanair.
Finally, on trying to leave the stadium at the end of the match the lights in the stands were turned off, with spotlights shining up from the pitch. This made it very difficult to make out the steps – a dangerous situation with thousands of people trying to leave at the same time.
These are basic issues that need to be resolved. This is disappointing for a stadium that has cost the taxpayer dearly. – Yours, etc,