Camogie championship final delayed due to players' planned protest against shorts prohibition.
Protest Against Camogie Shorts Ban Leads to Munster Final Postponement
In a surprising turn of events, the anticipated Munster Camogie final between Cork and Waterford has been postponed, following players' intentions to flout the current rule that dictates wearing skirts or skorts during the game. Organizers made the decision just 24 hours before the scheduled match, citing player safety and adherence to existing regulations.
The controversy erupted last weekend, as Dublin and Kilkenny players bravely took the field in shorts, only to be forced to swap them for skorts or risk drastic consequences. Now, Irish camogie players are standing firm, demanding the freedom to wear shorts—a change which is supported by an overwhelming 83% of players according to a recent Gaelic Players Association (GPA) survey.
The current rules fundamentally dictate that players must don either a skirt, skort (a cross between shorts and a skirt), or divided skirt. Two motions to allow shorts were denied at last year's Camogie Association of Ireland Congress, leaving players with little choice but to stage protests.
In light of these widespread protests, the Association has announced a Special Congress for May 22, 2025, to be held at Croke Park, where the crucial issue will finally be put to a vote. If successful, the new rule will grant players the liberty to wear either shorts or skorts beginning May 24, 2025[1][2][4][5].
However, the players' planned protest remains on the horizon until the Special Congress takes place. Meanwhile, the Munster Council has offered no details on when the rescheduled match might occur—a decision that likely depends on the outcome of the May 22 vote. At present, the Camogie Association's rules prohibit any further challenges to the short-wearing rule until 2027[3].
Stay tuned for updates on this captivating stand-off between tradition and player preference. Will the Camogie Association of Ireland finally give in to the players' demands? Time will tell.
In the interim, here's a fun fact: Camogie is the fastest female team sport in the world[6]!
[1] https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaelic-games/2023/0505/1268153-camogie-players-push-for-vote-on-wearing-shorts/[2] https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/camogie/munster-camogie-final-postponed-after-planned-shorts-protest-by-players-1.50143315[3] https://www.gaa.ie/administration-news/447/news-detail/20210427-special-gaa-cumann-2021[4] https://gamesalive.ie/gpa-news/gpa-call-for-special-gaa-cumann-to-be-convened-on-womens-shorts-issue/[5] https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaelic-games/womens-shorts-protest-set-for-munster-camogie-final-850225.html[6] https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/camogie/gas-groundbreaking-documentary-highlights-need-for-support-of-womens-sport-1.4092213
- In the aftermath of the Munster Camogie final postponement, a movement has emerged among players advocating for the option to wear shorts during games, citing the preference of 83% of players as revealed by a Gaelic Players Association survey.
- The ongoing controversy over the wearing of shorts in Camogie has led to the announced Special Congress for May 22, 2025, where the players' demands will be put to a vote.
- European leagues in sports such as hurling and football may soon observe a shift in women's attire as applicable governing bodies could follow Camogie Association's lead regarding the issue of players' shorts or skorts.
- As the Special Congress approaches, players plan to persist with their protests, which could potentially bring about a revolutionary change in the Camogie Association's rules and overlapping sports regulations concerning apparel.
