logo
Marty Morrissey weighs in on skorts protests as he gives key update

Marty Morrissey weighs in on skorts protests as he gives key update

Marty Morrissey believes the Camogie Association are feeling the heat over protests by players who have to wear skorts during matches.
There were chaotic scenes before Saturday's Leinster Senior Camogie semi-final between Dublin and Kilkenny — which almost saw the game abandoned before it began - as all thirty players line-up for the National Anthem wearing shorts.
Referee Ray Kelly from Kildare said he could not allow the game to begin until they changed into skorts — a skirt with a pair of integral shorts hidden underneath - with both teams changing into them.
And the protests continued on Tuesday with Dublin champions St Vincent's and opponents Good Counsel playing out their Division One League clash wearing shorts.
Last year's Camogie congress saw two separate motions, which would have either replaced skorts with shorts or allowed both, defeated. It means that the motions cannot be put forward again until 2027.
However, RTE reports that a motion will be brought forward to be discussed before the association's Annual Congress in 2026 under which will possibly give players the freedom of choice to wear skorts or shorts.
Morrissey revealed how a motion is to be brought forward to be discussed before the Association's Annual Congress in 2026 under 'exceptional circumstances'.
He explained: "The Camogie Association rule changes only happen every three years. As we know, people involved in the GAA, it's every five years, as we've seen with the Football Review Committee and Jim Gavin and all the changes in the football, but in Camogie it's every three years.
"So this decision that skorts would continue to be the dress wear was made in 2024, which means that the change that would be anticipated, if there was ever going to be a change happening, it would be in 2027. So to bring forward, under the term exceptional circumstances, that the skorts issue will be debated, with a motion brought forward by the Ard Chomhairle itself to be discussed at the Annual Congress in 2026, is now, I believe, being motioned. Dublin camogie team wearing shorts in the warm-up
"And I believe as well that the CEO of the, that's the Chief Executive Officer of the GPA, the Gaelic Players Association, Tom Parsons, was informed last evening of Camogie Association's new perspective on the situation."
When asked if the Camogie Association have been feeling the heat over the protests, Morrissey told Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1: "I think they probably have, to be honest with you. And I suppose it has continued to gain momentum.
"I mean, to serve up at the GPA over 650 players, with 83% wishing to have choice of sportswear, whether they're playing Camogie, whether that's shorts or skorts. So I suppose, yes, I think they probably were feeling the heat.
"And that essentially, to try and bring forward, to try and maintain the democratic process and a decision that's been made a year ago, and try and bring it forward a little bit, is an effort to compromise. Now, is it enough? I don't know. Because the feeling I got... I was on Prime Time last night and the reaction afterwards was that it wouldn't be enough from various counties and players I was speaking to.
"And that Cork and Waterford are playing the Munster Final. The Munster Final in Camogue is a separate competition to the All-Ireland, that they would tog out with shorts on Sunday. And if the referee decided not to play the game, which he would, he'd have to under law, then the match would have to be abandoned if they persisted.
"So maybe, I know some politicians have suggested derogation, which is basically an exemption to the rule, so that this can happen, players can get a choice, which I think is fair enough that every player can have a choice. That this could happen this year, rather than waiting for next year. So it's, I mean, I'm sure over the next three, four days, there'll be a lot of negotiations between the authorities, the Camogie associations, and the various teams that's involved, and different counties, to see if a resolution can be found.
"But whether derogation is the solution now, the immediate solution, or if people are willing to wait until March, April to the Congress in 2026, that has to be decided and debated over the next couple of days, I would think."
To keep up to date with all the latest GAA news, sign-up to our GAA newsletter here.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'It was a pity' - Munster final drama prompts GAA rethink
'It was a pity' - Munster final drama prompts GAA rethink

Extra.ie​

time9 hours ago

  • Extra.ie​

'It was a pity' - Munster final drama prompts GAA rethink

GAA president Jarlath Burns said replays will be considered in light of the drama-packed Munster hurling final between Cork and Limerick that was decided on penalties. After the match ended level following extra time, Cork won the first provincial hurling final to go to a shoot-out 3-2 – and with it a first Munster title since 2018. But with various calls for the compressed inter-county calendar to be changed to allow for provincial final replays, Burns yesterday opened the door to such an option – especially after the former Armagh captain witnessed his own county losing back-to-back Ulster football titles on penalties. And he also suggested All-Ireland finals could return to August rather than July. Uachtarán Tofa Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns during the GAA Congress at Canal Court Hotel. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 'You don't have to talk to me above anybody else about replays and provincial finals. We've lost three now, two quarter-finals, on penalties. I would be very much in favour of replays where at all possible.' He was speaking at the official launch of the All-Ireland hurling series at Offaly's Centre of Excellence, The Faithful Fields. Asked if he thinks it might be revisited, he replied: 'These things are always revisited. At the end of this championship, because it's a three-year phase, we're going to review all aspects of it. 'I agree with the split-season for all of the reasons that I've given before, but I definitely think that any review should consider the possibility of replays, particularly in provincial finals. I just think that was such a game of drama, it was just a pity the way it ended. The Armagh-Donegal game could have gone the same way for the third year in a row, so I'm totally in favour of replays.' A motion relating to replays was actually brought forward and debated at the GAA's Annual Congress back in February but was ultimately withdrawn after significant opposition and the fear it would impact negatively on the club window. 'Well, we did bring a motion to Congress this year,' added Burns. 'Ironically, it was Munster GAA who stymied it.' His words will feed into the possibility of a motion being brought to the Special Congress that is taking place in early October. On the question as to whether penalties is a fair way to decide a championship game, he said there are pros and cons. Cork won the first provincial hurling final to go to a shoot-out 3-2 – and with it a first Munster title since 2018. 'Well, that's what's in the rules and that's what we have at the moment. There are those who would say that winner on the day means winner on the day. And whatever that comes to, it has to come to. It's not too often that you have penalties in a hurling match for obvious reasons. We had it on Saturday evening. 'There are many people who say it adds to the drama as well, and that it can assist in the narrative of the game, that there was a winner on the day, there was a cup presented. Whenever we used to have replays, people gave off to the GAA that we were just doing it for the financial gain. And remember, the 83 per cent goes back. We need every penny we can get for all those good reasons. 'And now we have stopped replays to allow for the club season, which obviously in the dual counties, and that's what we're trying to promote, dual counties, and we're getting, not criticism, but debate over it. 'So there are all of these points that you have to consider. The GAA do not take these decisions lightly. They are all voted on. We're a very democratic organisation and if people want to change it, we'll be in favour of that.' Burns too opened the door on the possibility of the All-Ireland finals returning to August rather than July. Uachtaran CLG Jarlath Burns. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane 'You might have heard me saying that this isn't going to happen during my presidency. The decision might be made during my presidency, but it might not actually occur during my presidency. But I am certainly open to first and third weeks in August from 2027 on. At the end of the day, we are a games organisation.' With the Munster Council raising the price of a stand ticket to €50 for last weekend's Munster final while the Leinster Council offered up 20,000 free tickets for under-14s to the Leinster hurling final, Burns admitted that Croke Park are looking at dynamic pricing for big Croke Park days. 'We do have a ticketing workgroup set up under Declan Woods from Cavan. They are coming up with all sorts of ideas around dynamic structures, dynamic pricing. 'If you look at the URC final on Saturday, they have a dynamic structure. Even the corners of the stands, it's cheaper to get into them than the main part of the stand. It's interesting what they're charging to get into Ard Comhairle as well, if any of you have seen that. 'So, I think the future of that is if we could get, I think it was 10,000 this year, why could we not get 20,000 young people to come this year and create that culture, where the more empty seats you have in the stand, the more we have to fill with young people who we want to come into our games.'

What are the new rent reforms and how will they impact you?
What are the new rent reforms and how will they impact you?

Irish Times

time10 hours ago

  • Irish Times

What are the new rent reforms and how will they impact you?

Eyewitness footage has captured gunfire at a school shooting in Graz, Austria. Video: Eyepress Sligo Rovers have launched a coaching programme with prisoners at Loughan House Open Centre in Blacklion, County Cavan. Video: Bryan O'Brien Sligo Rovers Football Club are running coaching sessions with some of the prisoners at Loughan House Open Centre in Blacklion, Co Cavan. Video: Bryan O'Brien Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass has criticised the Trump administration for provoking chaos in the city through its recent immigration raids. Video: Reuters Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi had just delivered a piece to camera on the LA riots when a police officer shot her with a rubber bullet. Video: Reuters Israeli forces have intercepted a boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists who were attempting to bring aid to Gaza. Video: David Dunne Tear gas fills Los Angeles streets as protesters clash with police after a raid was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Video: Reuters Organisers of the Eid celebrations in Dublin's Croke Park have urged protesters to engage with Ireland's Muslim community. Video: Dan Dennison Colm Keena takes a closer look at three St Stephen Green properties: numbers 8, 41, and 70. Irish Rail has released CCTV footage of safety incidents at some of its level crossings as part of International Level Crossing Awareness Day. Video: Irish Rail

Luxembourg v Ireland live updates: International friendly
Luxembourg v Ireland live updates: International friendly

Irish Times

time11 hours ago

  • Irish Times

Luxembourg v Ireland live updates: International friendly

Luxembourg v Ireland, 7.45pm -1 minutes ago Here is the match preview from Gavin Cummiskey. " Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson invited the travelling media to watch the Monday morning session at Stade de Luxembourg, where the bones of a potential line-up played the rest of his 24-man panel. 'Bosun Lawal and John Joe Patrick Finn anchored midfield for the orange bibs but neither is expected to win a first cap against the Grand Duchy, certainly not from the start. 'The other nine on show, however, could feature when Hungary come to Dublin for the crucial opening World Cup qualifier on September 6th." [ Heimir Hallgrímsson unlikely to spring a surprise against Luxembourg Opens in new window ] 13 minutes ago Hello and welcome to live coverage of Ireland 's game against Luxembourg, an international friendly to round off the season, at the Stade de Luxembourg. Kick-off is at 7.45pm. After a 1-1 draw against Senegal on Friday, the Heimir Hallgrímsson 's men will look to get a win under their belt in Luxembourg. Ireland have beaten their opponents in six out of seven games in their history, but lost to Luxembourg in 2021 under Stephen Kenny, which will in memory. Expect a few new faces to get a run out in the last game before Ireland welcome Hungary for an all-important World Cup qualifier in September. The teams will follow when they are announced.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store