Madam, – I wish to lend my support to Brother Shaun O’Connor (Home News, March 10th).
There is nothing wrong with playing any sport on Good Friday, or on any other day, neither is there anything wrong with taking a quiet drink on Good Friday.
Many people have been doing so for many years, and observing the day with due respect, by attending religious services in Christian churches, at appropriate times. However, in this case we are talking about something very different. Such matches in Thomond Park are huge events, and while the supporters are usually well-behaved, I know that Good Friday, in a Christian country, deserves to be treated with decorum and respect by all who call themselves Christian. A major game in Thomond Park, with its subsequent drinking sessions on Good Friday, puts Christianity well out of the picture.
If the people who run the Magners League, and the drink promoters, and the television people had any respect for our Christian traditions, they would arrange this game for the Saturday.
I would remind the public that the motto of Shannon RFC (surely one of the best clubs in the country), is “Faoi choimirce Mhuire” or ” Under the Protection of Mary”, she who stood at the foot of the Cross on that first Good Friday.
I have been going to Thomond Park for over 60 years; I have played on its hallowed ground; I am a member of Garryowen FC and I love the game of rugby. However, I hang my head in shame if this game goes ahead on Good Friday.If Brother O’Connor organises a quiet dignified protest, he can count me in.
My mind goes back to the quiet moral courage shown by the late Fr Marnie Cunningham, one of the best wing forwards to play for Ireland, when he stood in silent protest outside Thomond Park one day back in the 1960s when Munster played against the apartheid-dominated Springboks. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Why is “Good Friday” a holiday anyway? While it could be argued that there are still enough practising Roman Catholics and other Christians in Europe to justify letting them off work to observe their rituals, many citizens simply enjoy a long weekend based on an old tradition which holds little meaning for them.
I think far too much consideration and respect is given to those of one religious persuasion in the Irish Republic, and not nearly enough to the many who do not share their beliefs.
My Catalan students, friends and acquaintances are shocked when I tell them that recreational activities are suspended on a church “holy” day, as it reminds them of the dark days of Franco’s dictatorship.
Ireland’s unpleasant reputation for bigotry and intolerance will continue until medieval concepts like “blasphemy” are abolished, the Angelus bongs are removed from State-sponsored broadcasting and ordinary non-believers can do whatever they please on a spring holiday, albeit arising from a historical anachronism. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Shame on the IRFU for having the Leinster/Munster match on Good Friday and for refusing to change the date.
The whole emphasis is now focused on the drinking laws to the detriment of the game itself.
Congrats is due to Senators Norris, Harris and Mullen for taking a principled stand on the issue. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I have been reading with interest the many comments on the forthcoming Munster-Leinster game on Good Friday. While I agree Good Friday is a day of huge significance to those of us from the Christian faith and that another day should have been chosen, I feel that some religious have gone over the top by saying that rugby fans “face the wrath of God” if they go to the rugby match and that “they should not call themselves Catholic”.
Obviously those views come from a very different theological school from that which I was formed. Like so many others on that day, I will reflect and pray and celebrate the Lord’s passion and death and later that evening travel to Thomond Park to cheer on Munster. And even though a sinner, I will continue to call myself Catholic. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Could not Good Friday be moved to the following Monday? After the long weekend, few of us are interested in drink by then. – Yours, etc,