Inspiration for the nation

A chara, – Begrudgery may still be our greatest weakness as a nation, but who could have a bad word to say against Moss Keane…

A chara, – Begrudgery may still be our greatest weakness as a nation, but who could have a bad word to say against Moss Keane? If any people did, they are the sort who despises effortless charm, genuine effort and natural ability. Not having been blessed with a garrulous personality or sporting ability, I stand in awe of men like Moss Keane because they gave us hope when there was precious little cause to be hopeful in Ireland. Thanks to sports stars like him, many of us mere mortals were saved from the pit of downright despair during the doom and gloom in the 1980s.

In any case, I wish all his friends and family well; their loss is obviously so much greater, but I hope that hearing from others how much he meant to them will be of some comfort at this time. – Is mise,

KT O’CONNOR,

Delvan Close,

Woolwich Common,

London,

England.

Madam, – It was with a sense of disbelief that I heard of the death of Maurice Neligan. This was a man who had himself given life back to so many men and women. His skill as a surgeon and pioneer in heart surgery made him a true legend, a man of whom we can be proud at a time when we need a little pride in being Irish.

His column each week in the HEALTHplus supplement became the first thing to be read on a Tuesday morning. His simple logic about the state of the Irish health service and those responsible for its almost terminal decline, was delivered with an accompanying wry sense of humour, guaranteed to make you smile, despite your anger at the situation.

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I had the pleasure of sitting beside him at a Blackrock oast pupils’ union dinner. He was the life and soul of the table, keeping us all amused and informed at the same time.

Maurice, Tuesdays won’t be the same without you. We will miss you. Pat, your loss is also Ireland’s. – Yours, etc,

TONY KEANE,

Meadow Vale,

Deansgrange,

Co Dublin.