THEO RYAN,
Madam, - Mick stepped out, Roy stepped in again, learnin' to dance the Lansdowne Ball. - Yours, etc.,
THEO RYAN,
Freiestrasse,
Berne,
Switzerland.
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Madam, - Mick McCarthy has been hung out to dry. With so many so-called supporters of Manchester United among the fan-base, it was inevitable. I say "so-called" because many aren't even football people. A person may have little or no interest in football and still claim allegiance to Manchester United. It sticks in my gullet when I think that these people have forced out our best manager ever.
As someone who loves the game, I was saddened at the events before the World Cup. As many have said, it was an event where there were no real winners. The greatest loser was Roy Keane, but his loss was mostly self-inflicted and had been coming for some time. He was supposed to be a team player but his actions meant something like that would inevitably happen.
Mick McCarthy handled the affair somewhat poorly, but not much blame can be directed his way, for what could he or anyone else do in such a situation?
The FAI gave their support, but it is now clear they were resigned to the fact that due to these events McCarthy was coming to the end of his tenure as Ireland boss. The pressure on them to force this eventuality has been great, but they have their own minds and are supposed to be football people. I offer no forgiveness.
I am Irish. Today I am utterly ashamed to be. Our alleged greatness continues to slip away. We've dug our grave. It will be an uncomfortable lie. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID KEANE,
Acre Lane,
London SW2.
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Madam, - It will be interesting to see who Roy Keane chooses to be the new manager of the Irish soccer team. - Yours etc.,
MARTIN LOUGHNAN,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - It's no time for Roy Keane to gloat. The FAI haven't gone away, you know. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL CULLEN,
Albert Park,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - Game, set and match to Mr Humphries and Mr Dunphy. How soon will the vilification of the successor begin? - Yours, etc.,
L. CROWE,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.