Camogie shorts v skorts row - how did we get here?
Players from the Derry Camogie team wore a variety of shorts and skorts before their Ulster final against Antrim to protest
- Published
The controversy in camogie surrounding wearing skorts has only intensified in the past week.
Players from Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Waterford and now Derry have all attempted to wear shorts in protest to the sport's rules dictating the players must wear skorts.
The Camogie Association has reacted to the row by calling a Special Congress for 22 May to vote on the issue.
BBC Sport NI looks at how the sport has reached this position and where players and the association go from here.
What is the problem with skorts?
A skort is a pair of shorts with an overlapping fabric which resembles a skirt
The issue of having to wear a skort while playing camogie is not a new one, but there have been growing feelings of discontent with the current rules for quite some time and recent protests have brought the controversy into mainstream media.
The current rules governing playing gear for camogie state that it must include a skirt, skort (a pair of shorts with an overlapping fabric which resembles a skirt) or a divided skirt.
This is in contrast to women's gaelic football where shorts are allowed.
A recent Gaelic Players Association survey, external highlighted how 70% of players experienced discomfort while wearing the skort, and that 83% of players wanted an option to choose to wear shorts.
Shorts are generally viewed as more comfortable and practical to wear especially when women are on their period, and with the possibility of skorts riding up they may prove a distraction while trying to compete at the highest level.
Cahair O'Kane, a journalist with the Irish News told the Conor Phillips Show players "have concerns about how skorts appear in images from the wrong angle and skorts coming up".
"Shorts, a lot of the players feel, eliminate the issue. What players want is simply the choice to wear shorts or skorts," he added.
Former Antrim camogie All-Star Jane Adams said the enforcement of skort wearing "screams sexism" and that it has always been "an issue" for players.
"Girls shouldn't be being told what they have to wear. Skorts and shorts look similar, but it's all about comfort," she continued.
"I guarantee that one of the reasons why girls are dropping out of camogie is because of this issue.
She has urged the Camogie Association to "be transformational" and change the rule, whilst Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward branded the handling of the situation as "absolutely ludicrous".
Motion of change defeated in 2024 Congress
The rule on skorts was previously debated at the Camogie Association's Annual Congress in 2024, although a proposed change did not a vote.
Camogie is governed by the Camogie Association of Ireland, closely linked to the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and alongside the Ladies Gaelic Football Association which is scheduled to formally integrate into the wider GAA in 2027.
Another challenge to the rule on skorts could not be brought until 2027 after two motions were defeated last year.
Yet recent pressure caused by protests from players has forced the governing body to call a Special Congress for 22 May to vote on the issue, which if ed would give players the option to wear shorts from 24 May.
"The association had proposed to deal with this issue at next year's Congress but having listened to player , the association recognises that waiting until 2026 is not acceptable for many," said a Camogie Association statement.
Their president Brian Molloy said: "Our goal is to deliver, as quickly as possible, a best-in-class playing uniform designed for female players and allowing for individual choice."
Protests in various provincial semi-finals and finals
Dublin captain Maher said on social media she was "sick of being forced to wear a skort that is uncomfortable and unfit for purpose"
On Saturday, 3 May, the first protest this year occurred as Kilkenny and Dublin teams were forced to change into skorts before their Leinster Championship semi-final could go ahead.
Kilkenny and Dublin took to the field at Blanchardstown wearing shorts, a decision both teams had agreed on as a form of protest against the rule, but were told by the referee the game would be abandoned if the players did not change.
Dublin captain Aisling Maher took to social media after the game to say she was "sick of being forced to wear a skort that is uncomfortable and unfit for purpose".
"Career low for me today when 60-plus 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 continued.
"How are female players still having to push for permission to wear shorts while they compete at the highest level of their sport.
"In no other facet of my life does someone dictate that I have to wear something resembling a skirt because I am a girl. Why is it happening in my sport"Graphic image of, from left to right, Alex Albon, George Russell, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso and Oliver Bearman. It is on a blue background with 'Fan Q&A' below the drivers " loading="lazy" src="https://image.staticox.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Face%2Fstandard%2F480%2Fsprodpb%2F7ff9%2Flive%2Fd42302e0-34b3-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg" width="385" height="216" class="ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950"/>
