Sir, – I was delighted to read the article by Gerry Thornley about banning alcohol in the Aviva Stadium during rugby matches ("Time to ban the booze during games at the Aviva", Sport, March 29th). It is something that has needed to be said for a long time.
I used to travel on the shoulders of my father to matches in the old Lansdowne Road era for more years than I care to remember. In the beginning I didn’t understand much of what was going on but I remember the passionate atmosphere, the euphoria when we won and, all to often, the dejection when we lost. As tickets became more difficult to secure over the years, I found myself attending fewer games. I was delighted to obtain two coveted tickets to the Ireland v England game in 2019.
The seats were near the aisle on the upper level. Apart from the fact that I saw very little of the action in the first 10 minutes of both halves due to the tardy “supporters” filing up the steps to take their seats, most of them with pints in hand, I had to stand up a couple of dozen times for people heading to the bar for more alcohol, to such an extent that my enjoyment of the game was destroyed. I decided that I would never attend an international rugby match in the Aviva again if the circumstances in relation to alcohol remained the same.
However, the IRFU needn’t worry. I’m sure that there are enough people ready to spend a few hours having the craic in the largest open-air bar in Ireland, with, well, something going on down on the pitch which they might have a glance at whenever they run out of conversation. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT P GOGAN,
Ballymacmorris,
Kilbeggan,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – I’ve just read Gerry Thornley’s article on the issue of patrons drinking during rugby matches. This has become a most annoying culture over past few years. There should be a ban on bringing pints to seats at all times.
If you want a drink so badly, have it in bar area.
I am fortunate enough to have access to the same seats for most games and both my fellow supporters and I have commented on the irritating flow of people carrying trays of drinks back and forth during games.
Another point is that we very rarely have the same people in the seats surrounding us. Clubs usually get the same tickets for a number of seasons so one would expect some continuity of patrons in seats. This was normal previously and it was nice to meet fellow supporters each game from different parts of the country. The IRFU must address this issue or true supporters will not put up with this most annoying distraction during games. I speak as a person who has only missed six home games since the mid-1960s. – Yours, etc,
GERRY GILLIGAN,
Dublin 15.
Sir, – Full marks to your rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley for raising the issue of match day experience in the Aviva. Myself and numerous genuine club rugby supporters are refusing to attend international games because of the constant interruptions caused by supporters bringing trays of drinks into the seating area. The IRFU needs to ban this practice and confine drinking to the hospitality areas.
If you feel you need alcohol during the game, what has happened to the old-fashioned hip flask? The Irish team needs the undivided attention and support of fans who are genuinely interested in the game and not the “corporates” who come for the social occasion. – Yours, etc,
NIALL PELLY (senior),
Foxrock,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – Gerry Thornley highlights the sometimes unhealthy relationship that exists between rugby and alcohol.
Is not the IRFU, in allowing a continuous flow of booze through the seating areas during games, effectively confirming that it regards the extra “moolah” involved as more important than spectator comfort? – Yours, etc,
IAN SCOTT,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Gerry Thornley has nailed it. When I do manage to secure an overpriced ticket, I am usually surrounded by groups of people who have limited interest in the game and should have found a local hostelry to enjoy their pints and their long, loud and boring conversations.
Hopefully the IRFU see the problem and take appropriate action quickly – but on recent experience that’s probably asking too much. – Yours, etc,
ALEX TAYLOR,
Ballinteer,
Dublin 16.