Not all footie fans are hooligans

I WRITE to register my disappointment at what appears to be another gradual loss of something in Ireland that makes your country so unique compared to many others on the Continent, and particularly Britain.

As one of the contingent of Bulgarian supporters who made our way to Croke Park for the international soccer match between our countries on Saturday, I was astonished to find we were herded into a corner of the ground, surrounded by a large body of Irish police throughout.

After the game, we were not allowed leave the stadium for over 20 minutes, until presumably all the Irish fans had left. The reason for this ridiculous security operation is beyond me.