What is a skort and why are camogie players not allowed to wear shorts instead of them amid mounting protests?

The Irish Sun

07-05-2025

THE issue of camogie players being compelled to wear skorts in matches appears set to come to a head this season.
Dublin and Kilkenny got the ball rolling
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Dublin captain Aisling Maher described being told the match wouldn't go ahead unless they changed back into their skorts as 'a career low'
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Players are allowed to wear shorts during training sessions but must wear skorts in matches
Both sets of players came out in shorts instead of the mandated skorts but were told by referee Ray Kelly that unless they went back inside and got changed, the fixture would not go ahead.
The teams relented with The Cats ultimately triumphing by 4-11 to 2-12.
But things have really snowballed from there with it
More protests look set to follow too with
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Regarding the prospect of
'I think it's in everyone's best interests that we just park this and hopefully get the Camogie Association to make the change and move on and we can look forward to a really exciting Championship.'
But what is a camogie skort exactly?
Essentially, it's a pair of shorts with a fabric over it which gives the appearance of a skirt.
Last week a GPA survey found that 83 per cent of respondents would like to have the option to wear shorts on matchdays instead of being restricted to having to go with the skort.
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Of those polled, 70 per cent stated they find skorts to be uncomfortable as well as them limiting one's movement during a game.
Why do camogie players have to wear skorts?
The answer is rooted in tradition as this has always been the way in camogie.
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The Camogie Association would point to the fact that two proposals to forward at its annual congress last year which offered up the opportunity for them to be replaced by shorts.
Delegates ended up voting both down with more than 60 per cent voting against them being replaced with shorts, and 55 per cent rejecting shorts being offered as a choice alongside skorts.
Fresh proposal cannot be heard until 2027.
On Monday the Camogie Association issued the below statement to
It read: 'We note the recent research published by the GPA. Player welfare is at the heart of everything we do across the Camogie Association.
'A democratic vote at Congress 2024 determined that the rules governing our playing wear should not change.
'Ard Chomhairle established a working group to examine issues around the comfort, fit, design and overall performance of playing wear.
'As part of this process, a wide range of national and international manufactured skorts have been sourced.
"Testing of these skorts for comfort, fit and design, will begin in mid-May and will include adult and Juvenile players from Club and County teams, as well as referees.
'Once testing is completed, the working group will prepare recommendations for Ard Chomhairle consideration.
'The Camogie Association remains committed to respecting the democratic process in all decisions that affect all of our members.
'Voting delegates at Congress represent all the members of the Association, including players and parents of players across the country.'