Madam, - Your paper has already published a letter of mine on this topic, but I feel we must revisit the subject again.
Nobody with any connection to Rugby Union in this country now seems able to refer to players without using the words "guy" or "guys". Pundits, commentators, officials of the IRFU, supporters - all feel the need to use these terms when speaking or writing about players. Lads, men, fellows and other such masculine terms are ignored.
Just listen to them all. Our ex-coach Eddie O'Sullivan, Tom McGurk, Brent Pope et al. What is it, Madam, that makes you a "guy" if you partake in this sport?
I am considering taking up the game, but at 54 years of age I would be an "old guy". I would prefer to remain an "oul fella".
I am not a keen follower of this sport. I do take an interest in our international team and my provincial team, Leinster, but the overuse of this word "guy" is becoming an irritant. Also I fail to see why kicking the ball into Row Z of the stands merits applause, but that's for another day. - Yours, etc,
PAT BURKE WALSH,
Neilstown,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.