Camogie players must be unilaterally supported on May 22nd – Ní Chuilinn

Momentum must continue to build to support camogie players on foot of today’s climb down from the Camogie Association on the controversial skort issue, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

The Camogie Association today announced that it will call a Special Congress on May 22^nd at Croke Park, saying that it recognises that ‘waiting until 2026 is not acceptable for many’.

Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Arts, Media, Sport and Communications said that the move was welcome and was appropriate following public and political pressure in the wake of last weekend’s protest by the Kilkenny and Dublin camogie teams.

Senator Ní Chuilinn said: “I urge all players and camogie club officers to lobby Árd Comhairle members in advance of this pivotal Special Congress in two weeks’ time. The work is not finished yet.

“Delegates of Ard Comhairle voted down more than one motion in favour of skorts just last year.  Players both at club and county level have said they were not contacted by delegates for their opinion on skorts, so I now urge all players to speak to their club secretaries, for club secretaries to make representation to their county and provincial boards.

“It’s crucial that members of Ard Comhairle who don’t play camogie anymore and don’t wear skorts themselves know exactly what the playing population want in, case it has not been made abundantly clear this week.

“These votes are anonymous and the appetite for change really needs to be in the room on the 22^nd of May.

“This debate has sparked interest from what I hope is a new cohort of camogie fans for the future. I am also delighted to see so many Oireachtas members take a stance on this skort issue and look forward to seeing them attend camogie matches or watching on tv.

“We have many talented camogie players whose voices deserve to be heard and whose achievements must be seen and celebrated”.