Sir, - I know little about soccer and usually care even less about it, but I must congratulate your World Cup correspondents for their skill and flair in conveying the passion and explaining the complexities of France '98.
Often, during the competition, I found myself all the more eager to watch matches so that I could better appreciate Tom Humphries's wit and Peter Byrne's incisive analysis.
My admiration for their journalism is all the greater because of the deadlines they had to meet. Turning out such high quality, amusing reports in the midst of celebratory mayhem was surely no mean feat. Think of the partying they must have forgone!
In particular, thanks are due to Tom Humphries. His heartwarming anecdote about the elderly Frenchman singing Sur le Pont d'Avignon was only one example of how well he brought home to us the true spirit of the World Cup. I honestly felt as if I was there too. Well done. - Yours, etc., Brian Hollywood,
Newry, Co Down.