PATRICK SHINE,
Madam, - I would like to thank Roy Keane for the contribution he has made to the Irish soccer team over the years. Thank him for all the man-of-the-match performances; for his Irish-player-of-the-tournament performance at USA 1994; for all the times he inspired less talented players to play above themselves; for his huge contribution in dragging the FAI towards being a professional organisation; for the sheer joy of watching him playing at the top of his game.
As for those who are spewing bile and vitriol in his direction, everyone knows what to do with the begrudgers. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK SHINE,
Cathedral Road,
Cork.
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Madam, - There are striking similarities between our recent attitude to Roy and our historical attitude as a nation. For too long we have prostrated ourselves at the altar of this man, praising him and thanking him for his every appearance in the green jersey. The lower we bow, it seems, the greater the disdain.
Well, we're beyond all that now.
It remains to be seen how the team will fare without him. My guess is that the men left will rise to the challenge, and we will gain far more than we have lost. Not least, our self-respect. - Yours, etc.,
RAY TOMANY,
Crodaun Forest Park,
Celbridge,
Co Kildare.
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Madam, - I am deeply saddened to see Roy Keane leave the international scene. I am sad for Roy that his career in the green jersey has ended under the storm cloud of Saipan rather than the blue skies of Portugal in 2004. I hope he will be remembered in greatness and with as much fondness as Noel Cantwell, Johnny Giles, Liam Brady and Paul McGrath, but I fear not.
Brian Kerr deserved Roy but the FAI does not. This is not a time to debate who was right or wrong. Let us instead embrace Keane's magical and immense performances for a country that has always had flawed heroes. - Yours, etc.,
DENIS O'BRIEN,
Cullen,
Co Tipperary.
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Madam, - Let me be unequivocal. Having endured weeks of coverage of the Roy Keane saga last year, I have no interest in further regurgitation of the matter. - Yours, etc.,
DEIRDRE O'SULLIVAN,
Vernon Street,
Dublin 8.