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WATERFORD ARE SET to join All-Ireland champions Cork in the protest against the Camogie Association’s skort rule in Saturday’s Munster final.
The two teams are set to take a similar stance at The Ragg, a week after last weekend’s Leinster semi-final between Dublin and Kilkenny was almost abandoned when both panels lined out in shorts instead of the mandatory skorts.
Waterford’s Lorraine Bray revealed to The 42 that they stand united with Cork in their ambition to wear shorts, even if it means ultimately forfeiting the game.
“We are on the same page, we will be wearing the shorts also and won’t be changing into skorts even if it entails the Munster final fixture not taking place. We feel now is the time to put that extra push on the camogie association and make that stance.
“It’s a privileged opportunity to play in a Munster Final and it would be so disheartening if the fixture was not fulfilled under the circumstances but it shows the unity we as players have in making this stance. We just want choice for players and for players to be listened to, we are the ones taking to the field at the end of the day.”
A recent survey by the Gaelic Players Association found that the majority of camogie players in the country believe skorts to be uncomfortable, with a greater majority still believing that players should have the option of instead wearing shorts.
Play between Dublin and Kilkenny commenced only after both sets players returned to their changing rooms and re-emerged wearing skorts, with Dublin captain Aisling Maher later describing the incident as a “career low” in an Instagram post which received national attention.
Cork captain Méabh Cahalane and veteran midfield teammate Ashling Thompson have both confirmed that The Rebels intend to take things a step further this Saturday and will refuse to change out of their shorts even if such a stance leads to Waterford being awarded the Munster title by default.
Cork manager Ger Manley also confirmed that he and his backroom staff would support their players in their protest.
Speaking on Cork’s 96FM in an interview published on Wednesday, Cork skipper Cahalane told the station’s GAA reporter, Finbarr McCarthy: “Us as Cork players, we’re with the majority of camogie players around the country. That’s something that camogie players are feeling strongly about. That’s something we support.
“We’re hoping to make our own stance this weekend but we really hope that it doesn’t come to that.”
Cahalane confirmed to 96FM that Cork had voted among themselves to wear shorts this weekend, adding of the potential consequences that “we got wind that the match might be abandoned if that was the case, but we’re just hoping that it won’t come to that.
“We have the support of all our panel. We respect the decision of every camogie player around the country. And we’re willing to stand with that.
“The thing is, you just don’t want young girls or any camogie players around the country feeling that they can’t play camogie because they’re uncomfortable or they don’t like the image of wearing a skort. I know people are complaining about photos that might have gone on papers or social media of them playing camogie. That’s probably the main thing.
“The LGFA (women’s football), they wear shorts. I don’t see the difference between the two sports, so if that’s something that camogie players feel strongly about around the country, the change has to be made. We’re willing to support that.”
Six-time All-Ireland winner Ashling Thompson reiterated Cork’s plan while speaking to RTÉ’s News at One, and said that she hoped that Waterford would join Cork in a collaborative protest similar to that staged by Dublin and Kilkenny.
“What we’re going to do is wear shorts and if we’re asked to return to the dressing room we won’t,” said four-time All-Star Thompson.
“If that means abandoning the game and handing over the Munster title to Waterford, that’s what we’ll do.
“We’re just hoping that Waterford will follow suit. It’s not about us versus the association. It’s standing up for what’s right,” Thompson added.
“We’re just asking to be heard and to have a choice in what we want to wear and how we represent our counties and our clubs. It’s about respect and modernising a game that we all love.
“The voices of the people playing it every day are the ones that need to be heard and need to be part of that evolution. I just hope that it opens the door for more honest conversations and for decisions that reflect what the players need.
“We’re not asking to get rid of skorts completely — it’s to have a choice in what we wear. A lot of girls are just not comfortable wearing skort in general.”
A Gaelic Players’ Association survey published last week revealed that 70% of inter-county camogie players found the skort to be uncomfortable, while 83% believe that an individual player should be allowed to choose whether they don shorts or a skort.
However, four separate motions brought to the Camogie Congress in 2024 relating to playing gear were defeated.
It was initially suggested that the 2027 Camogie Congress would be the next available opportunity to address the issue amid growing calls for the association to relax these rule, although RTÉ Sport have since reported that the Camogie Association would be willing to bring forward a motion to be discussed before their Annual Congress in 2026.
Thompson, however, insisted that 2026 would be too late to formally address the issue, telling RTÉ: “I wouldn’t personally (favour that). We’re really not being heard if we have to wait until next year. It feels like a punishment.”
Cork manager Ger Manley, meanwhile, told 96FM that he and his fellow Rebel coaches would support their players irrespective of the consequences of their intended protest against Waterford this Saturday.
Manley, who guided Cork to All-Ireland success last year, called on Camogie Association president Brian Molloy to intervene sooner than next year’s Congress to protect both players and the game.
“We’ll fully back them,” Manley said of his playing panel. “To wear a skort, the girls find it awkward.
“At times, there’s uncompromising pictures taken of the girls and I think they’re not comfortable. They train in shorts, all the training gear they get. The ladies’ footballers play in shorts.
“Common sense should prevail, really. The president, Brian Molloy, needs to step in now and say, ‘Look, enough’s enough. If this is what they want, give it to them.’
“There’s no matches without players. You won’t have camogie if there’s no players playing.”
On Tuesday night, county champions St Vincent’s and opponents Good Counsel were among the Dublin clubs who opted to defy camogie’s skort rule.
All players from St Vincent’s and several Good Counsel players opted to wear shorts for their Division One encounter.
The Mirror reported on Tuesday that Dublin County Board had instructed referees not to abandon club games in which players chose to wear shorts. The County Board will instead fine clubs €1 so that they are technically compliant with the association’s rule.
Written by Gavan Casey with repoting from Sinead Farrell, and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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