Almost two years ago, on the first anniversary of the night the Iron curtain was reconstructed in Moscow, we wrote to the Irish government asking that they do the right thing and rename the 6 September 'Richard Dunne Day.'

We wrote to the relevant minister Alan Shatter, urging that he get this done. Inexplicably, the process went nowhere. However, a lot has changed since then. Shatter is no longer the Minister for Justice (though, somewhat strangely, his resignation was not triggered by his abject failure to act on our proposal).

There is a brand new minister there now, Frances Fitzgerald. The government are desperate for popular measures and Richard Dunne's retirement has generated waves of emotion online. Now is the time to strike.

6/9/2012

Dear Minister Alan Shatter,

Today marks the first anniversary of what many experts in the sport of football deem to be the greatest individual performance in the history of Irish sport. In a Euro 2012 qualifier against Russia in Moscow, Irish defender Richard Dunne gave a heroic display of selfless defending while almost single-handedly preventing Russia from scoring a goal that would have destroyed Ireland prospects for qualifying for the 2012 European Football Championships. As a proud Irishman, I’m sure you’ve seen the game in question. I write today to beseech you to seriously consider declaring the Sixth of September for now and for all time as ‘Richard Dunne Day’. What better way to honour this man’s sacrifices for his country than by a bank holiday whereby Irish men and women can practice all kinds of random acts of heroism in the name of Richard Dunne?


At this dark, dismal moment in our nation’s history, the people of Ireland need a hero, a lighthouse in the storm. By declaring September 6th ‘Richard Dunne Day’ for the rest of time, we would be attempting to fairly honour this great Irish athlete. His tackles that day were an inspiration to many and were ‘Richard Dunne Day’ to be named an official day, you would ensure that his performance against Russia would never be forgotten.

I appreciate you giving this matter most serious consideration.

Yours in football,

Xavier McDaniel

Balls.ie