Kelly to invite Camogie Association to Oireachtas cttee | Breaking News & Latest Ireland Updates

Kelly to invite Camogie Association to Oireachtas cttee — The Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Sport, Labour TD Alan Kelly, has said he intends to invite the Camogie Association to the committee to ...

The Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Sport, Labour TD Alan Kelly, has said he intends to invite the Camogie Association to the committee to deal with the issue of skorts in camogie "once and for all".

Yesterday, camogie players from Dublin and Kilkenny were forced to change into skorts before their Leinster semi-final in Blanchardstown after turning up in shorts as a protest.

Mr Kelly said rules forcing camogie players to wear skorts are "bananas in today's day and age".

"It beggars belief that at a time when we should be working to continue encouraging women and girls to participate in sport, we’d see an own goal like this from the Camogie Association," Mr Kelly said.

"We can’t continue to ignore this. No sportsperson should have to tog out in gear that’s unsuitable and uncomfortable," the Labour TD added.

Camogie players must wear skorts - shorts with a panel of fabric that makes them have the appearance of a skirt - under the association's rules.

Opposition has grown to the stipulation in recent years and a Gaelic Players Association survey released during the week said 70% of players surveyed had experienced discomfort while wearing skorts and that 83% of players believed they should have the option to choose.

Two separate motions at last year's congress, which would have either replaced skorts with shorts or allowed both, were defeated, and cannot be put forward again until 2027.

Tánaiste Simon Harris, meanwhile, said the current rules are "archaic".

He said camogie players have "made their views clearly known" and endorsed the views of Fine Gael Senator Evanne Ní Chuillin who said the skort rule "is becoming a barrier, and it has also taken away from the sport itself".

"It is time to listen to the players and give a choice at the very least," Ms Ní Chuillin said.

Dublin captain and co-chair of the GPA Aisling Maher described yesterday’s incident as "a career low".

"Career low for me today when 60+ players ready to play a championship game in shorts are told their match will be abandoned if every player doesn't change into skorts," she posted on her Instagram page.