Madam, - That two indigenous organisations which each plays its own brand of football should set up what they call "International Rules" and then refer to the new game as a "test series" between Ireland and Australia is simply laughable.
Sunday's game represented little more than a fun day out for families and children, and it certainly was that.
There were some fine Gaelic footballers on view, but this hybrid will never rate internationally. The fact that some supposedly serious sports writers have given prominence to this invention in some of the national dailies only serves to highlight the paucity of some real sports stories.
Time for wishful thinkers to become a little more pragmatic. - Yours, etc.,
NIALL GINTY,
Killester,
Dublin 5.
Madam, - Keith Duggan's assertion (Sideline Cut, October 16th) that sports violence will not disappear from the playing fields is a certainty as long as we tolerate the kind of distasteful advertising used to promote the International Rules games.
This is a game of speed, skill and, at times, almost balletic beauty and such advertising does the game and this society a grave disservice. - Yours, etc.,
KEVIN HEALY,
Hampstead Avenue,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9.