Sir, – CMJ Quigley (August 22nd) states that the Irish rugby team is represented by players from two countries. Is this not somewhat unfair to the other countries competing? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I wonder if four English players declared for either Scotland or Wales, would those countries drop their own national anthems in deference? The Irish Free State officially came into being in December 1922 but the Irish rugby union persisted with the Union Jack until compelled to fly the Irish Tricolour in 1932. I think it is time for the Taoiseach to emulate his predecessor and state that wherever and whenever any Irish team competes, our national anthem should be played, not a substitute.
Just five years short of the 1916 centenary we should be grateful and proud to be Irish and free, not apologising for it. – Yours, etc,