Madam, - I wish to pass on my congratulations to Ireland's ladies' cricket team who recently returned from their successful mission in the Netherlands. They won all five matches played, and thus ensured they will - once again - be playing in the next Women's Cricket World Cup, in South Africa in February 2005.
Successive wins over Holland, Japan, Pakistan, Scotland and West Indies meant that no nail-biting play-offs, even, had to be endured.
Yes, another Irish sporting success story. What a shame about the almost non-existent press coverage. Please spare us any more coverage of His Imperial Beckhamness's latest hairdo, and give us some real sports stories. - Yours, etc.,
GERARD KELLY, Orwell Gardens, Dublin 6.