Once, while visiting a rural pub in Hollymount, Co Mayo, a mature regular made a valid point: 鈥淚t鈥檚 the hope that keeps us going 鈥 and if we ever win an All- Ireland football final, the hope would turn to complacency.鈥
As we say farewell to Kevin McStay and his team, every bar in Mayo and beyond will be the setting for discussions about who should be next to drive forward the county鈥檚 footballers. I hope it鈥檚 a well-charged battery.
There may be some sparks from the positive and negative leads that lie ahead.
Seamus Joyce, London
Mayo鈥檚 ruthless handling of manager鈥檚 dismissal leaves bad taste in mouth
As a Sligo and Connacht GAA supporter, I am dismayed and disappointed at the way in which Mayo GAA has dispensed with the services of the senior inter-county manager Kevin McStay.
Given the man himself must have been bitterly upset to step back from management on health grounds, having taken ill at a training session, I think it crass of the county board to have cut short his tenure in this way.
If there is a chink of light, there is currently a senior management vacancy in Sligo, and I know Kevin would receive a warm welcome in the Yeats county if he felt he had unfinished business in the GAA.
Stephen O鈥橦ara, Carrowmore, Co Sligo
Denying fans the chance to watch today鈥檚 game on RT脡 is beyond scandalous
Can anyone out there give me one good reason why we, the licence fee-payers, can鈥檛 view a very exciting anticipated match today at 4pm in Croke Park between Donegal and Monaghan on our national broadcaster, RT脡?
This is a disgrace. Shame on the GAA.
Brian McDevitt, Glenties, Co Donegal
Relying on other nations for our security is absurd in this unsettled world
In support of Christy Galligan (鈥榃ho will protect Ireland when we cannot, and will not, protect ourselves?鈥, Letters, June 23), I wish to cite the imprudence of Europe鈥檚 long-standing defence and security dependence on the US 鈥渃oming home to roost鈥.
This week, we witnessed Nato secretary general Mark Rutte grovel to Donald Trump at a meeting in The Hague.
On the battlefield, without US overwatch, Ukraine continues to be hammered by Russia, leaving its citizens more vulnerable to future aggression from Vladimir Putin.
These lessons could not be starker.
Depending on another party (as Ireland has always done) to provide or guarantee our security is absurd.
The perpetual prevarication about our defence must stop and be replaced by a set of resolute actions.
Will this be costly? Most definitely, yes.
Michael Gannon, St Thomas Square, Kilkenny
Nato leaders have learnt the best way to get results is to capitulate to Trump
It was reported that the atmosphere at the recent Nato summit was little short of obsequious towards Donald Trump.
It seems leaders have worked out that if they want a US buy-in to Nato, they have to commit to Trump鈥檚 spending demands and then flatter him into believing he is the only person who can make things happen.
It appears to have worked. The US has renewed its commitment to defending other Nato countries and the language was expletive-free.
But I would like to ask: Why did Nato leaders refuse to mention Russian aggression? I find this perplexing.
John O鈥橞rien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Using 鈥楻epublic鈥 as prefix in Ireland鈥檚 name does not discount the six counties
I read with interest Gerry Cummins鈥檚 letter (鈥楾hat Republic of Ireland moniker belongs only in one place 鈥 a football park鈥, June 26).
I think the use of 鈥淩epublic of Ireland鈥 is correct, as is Ireland and/or 脡ire. I prefer Ireland, but the prefix 鈥淩epublic of鈥 is also correct and doesn鈥檛 mean the six counties in the North are disclaimed.
The island of Ireland will be reunited sooner rather than later. I predict that one day, an all-Ireland football team will win the World Cup.
Dominic Shelmerdine, London
While Gaza and Ukraine dominate the headlines, we cannot forget Sudan
As the horrors of war in the Middle East fill the headlines, it is important that we do not forget the apocalyptic suffering of the Sudanese people, who are in the middle of 鈥渢he world鈥檚 largest humanitarian crisis鈥, according to the UN.
Tens of thousands of people have died as a result of the country鈥檚 civil war, which began in 2023. More than 12 million people have been displaced. According to the World Food Programme, 24.6 million people face food insecurity, while 637,000 face 鈥渃atastrophic levels of hunger鈥.
There have been attempts to end the conflict, and the Irish Government has provided over 鈧10m in humanitarian support.
Unfortunately, this horrendous war continues.
It is imperative that world leaders give this the same attention as the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the devastating war in Ukraine.
Tadhg Mulvey, Trim, Co Meath
When it comes to doing certain chores, it鈥檚 best to strike while the iron is hot
I ironed a shirt this morning. That may not seem newsworthy, but in my household it marks an event of some significance due to its rarity.
It brought me back to my teenage years, when I first started taking an interest in girls. At that time, the only way I could appear in a crisply ironed shirt was by paying my sister 50p to do it for me.
This morning, however, I took matters into my own hands.
To be fair, the front looked fine. It was only when I removed my jacket during the meeting that I realised I鈥檇 forgotten the sleeves. From the elbows down, it was creased chaos.
Still, no one said anything, which either means they were being polite or they鈥檝e stopped expecting much from me.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Armagh