Peter O’Reilly told us last week that ‘Removing God Save the Queen and the Union flag is a small price to pay for the first Ireland international in Belfast for 52 years’. The only thing small about it is the display of small-mindedness and the bigoted attitude of those members of the IRFU who demanded it. It is normal protocol, never mind good manners, for foreign and predominately foreign teams to recognise the flags and emblems of the host country. Such courtesies (not surprisingly some would say) appear not to be in the gift of some members of the IRFU. Other sporting bodies in Northern Ireland, with more guts than the Ulster branch, wiil doubtless take note.

Graham McKeown, Bangor, Co Down

The comments regarding anthems at the future game at Ravenhill were very disappointing. It is sad that the Ulster Branch ‘acceded’ to sectarianism by the IRFU. If the Soldier’s Song is acceptable at Lansdowne Road then surely God Save the Queen is appropriate at Ravenhill. The fact that no match has been held there since 1952 is an indictment of the IRFU, not of Ulster, and no price should be paid to have a match at Ravenhill. Rather it should be offered with good grace. To suggest that the British anthem should not be played lest the southern players jog round the pitch is also wrong. If Ulster players can be dignified during the Irish anthem then the other players should have the manners to reciprocate. Most of all, it is sad that an opportunity to prove to Unionists that things have changed has been missed. If the otherwise reasonable people of Irish rugby cannot leave sectarianism behind why would we believe that anybody else in the South has changed?

David Gorringe, Banbridge

In view of the obviously weak state of our international soccer teams, both in Northern Ireland and the Republic, would it not be a good idea for them to join forces and field a single team to represent the island of Ireland? Their rugby counterparts seem to have no ideological difficulties in doing this and they regularly qualify for the Rugby World Cup and have won Triple Crowns. Such an Irish soccer team would have stiffer competition for places and could be a formidable force in international football. Or do the Irish — North and South — wish to continue as losers and non-qualifiers for important finals for reasons I cannot fathom?

Des McHale, Blackrock, Cork

I note that all of your so-called experts could not see beyond the Cork three-in-a-row that never was. They should have remembered something: Kilkenny is such a proud hurling county that it was unthinkable that they might not give absolutely everything to stop the Cork treble. When you are Cork going for a third consecutive title, the last team you need in your way are the ones wearing black and amber. It seems that fact was not given enough credence in your otherwise informative preview of the match.

Edmund Rea, Piltown, Co Kilkenny

The noble courtesy and dignity of the Cork hurling manager (John Allen) in losing the All-Ireland final to Kilkenny last Sunday was wholly admirable.

Jerry Daly, Caherslee, Tralee, Co Kerry

The Sunday Times recently carried an article discussing teams with the greatest number of brothers playing together. I have a photograph of the ‘Famous Five’ Snodgrass brothers who took the field for Strabane Rugby Club in 1951. I did not have the privilege of playing then, but I did play in the late 1950s and early 1960s with the twins, Ray and George. Sadly, Ray died in Australia sabout two months ago. I also have a picture of the Strabane first XV who went through the 1957-58 season without have a point scored against us in the North West League. Our record was P7, W7, F156, A0. I would be interested to know if this has been bettered.

Rev Canon T H Timble, Castlederg, Co Tyrone

After the fallout over the Woosnam/Bjorn saga one thing alarms me. Even if Bjorn did offer an apology, surely he is entitled to his opinion on any individual concerned and what justification do the European PGA have of fining him? Does freedom of speech not exist anymore?

Keith Cosgrave, Drogheda, Co Louth