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Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Players' fashion choice of shorts over skorts thrusts Irish sport of camogie into the spotlight
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Seems obvious as we sit here in 2025, but no one needs to be telling these women that how they look is more important than their comfort, or their competitive preference. Not there, not here, not anywhere. Advertisement The Irish women decided to do something about it. At a May 3 match between the senior teams from Dublin and Kilkenny, players arrived in shorts, staging a coordinated protest. The ensuing refusal by the officials to let the game proceed until players changed into skorts set off a social media firestorm, with further fuel provided by the optics — it was three men forcing the change. Advertisement Afterward, with the game played (in skorts), Dublin's captain, Aisling Maher, wrote on Instagram: '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. I love this game, but I am sick of being forced to wear a skort that is uncomfortable and unfit for purpose. How are female players still having to push for permission to wear shorts while they compete at the highest level of their sport?' Outrage followed. A few weeks later, with word that players from upstart Waterford and defending champion Cork were similarly prepared to wear shorts for their much-anticipated Munster final (Ireland has four provinces, the other three being Ulster, Connacht, and Leinster, with each one's champion playing for the All-Ireland title), the Camogie Association postponed the match shortly before it was meant to start. Outrage followed again, with demands from fans, players, and, predictably, politicians for change. It inspired me to call my cousin Aoife Doyle, who lives in Limerick, located in Munster, and whose daughter, 15-year-old Roisin, is a stellar athlete who only last year gave up camogie because its schedule clashed with her budding athletics career (she's a junior national champion in the 100-meter dash). I needed some local reaction. Advertisement 'The headlines were everywhere,' Aoife told me. 'Both captains of Waterford and Cork came out and said they were willing to hand over the Cup, they were all together on this, standing strong and willing to walk away from the opportunity of the match. And then they canceled the match. There was an uproar because those girls, this is an amateur sport for them, they don't get paid, but they've done a huge amount of training, are fit as fiddles, and had themselves mentally prepared for that match. 'At the last minute to pull them out, I thought that was a silly move. They're trying to get people to watch women's sports. At the moment the country is really trying to promote women in sports, there are lots of ads on the telly about it, and they definitely would have watched with the skorts saga.' Though the match has yet to be rescheduled, when it is, the players can wear shorts. 'I think it's great that everyone has a choice and women in sports have many different choices in what they wear,' Roisin told me. 'We're evolving, the world is changing, the sport has to change, too. I thought it was inspiring. ' Like field hockey players before them, who fought for alternatives to skirts, to German Olympic gymnasts, who Advertisement Camogie was founded in 1904. It is thrilling to watch, earning its moniker as the fastest game on grass. But its meaning goes far deeper than results. Like hurling and fellow national sport Gaelic football, camogie is an intrinsic and important part of Ireland's culture, founded when the mere existence of anything Irish was threatened by British rule. Rebellion then, rebellion now. Good for them. Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
‘Those two weeks felt like two months': Kilkenny captain Katie Power reveals overwhelming toll of skorts protest
Katie Power admits the reaction to the Kilkenny-Dublin skorts protest was, at times, overwhelming. The Kilkenny captain and her Dublin counterpart Aisling Maher emerged as the embodiment of the campaign following an Irish Times photograph of the pair wearing shorts prior to their Leinster semi-final. The momentum gained from that initial stance ultimately led to last Thursday's Special Congress, at which 98 per cent of delegates supported a motion to provide players with a choice of wearing shorts or skorts. Power was happy with the outcome but admits the level of attention generated by the protest was difficult to manage. READ MORE 'I won't tell you a lie, I found those few weeks tough going,' she said at the launch of the 2025 Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championships. 'Overwhelmed, I suppose, with everything that came with it. 'I 100 per cent didn't expect what happened to happen. We were just making the protest, obviously to voice our opinions, but I definitely wasn't aware of what was going to come afterwards. 'The two weeks after that were tough mentally – very draining. My phone was just absolutely blowing up, but for the better. 'It was only after the match that it kind of dawned on me that I was in for the toss and that was the picture that was going to go out. Kilkenny captain Katie Power and Dublin counterpart Aisling Maher, both wearing shorts, are addressed by referee Ray Kelly before the Leinster semi-final. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw 'I'm happy that we decided to do it, but obviously what came in the aftermath was huge. It's done with now and looking back, it was great to have done it for the future of camogie and the younger girls. It's great now, but those two weeks were tough going, they felt like two months.' Power, who is entering her 18th season with Kilkenny, works as a personal trainer. She had to be up at 5am last Friday morning, which meant she was tucked up in bed as delegates were voting at Special Congress the night before. 'I didn't even look at the phone until the next morning,' she said. 'I was in bed, I was working early. I was [able to sleep]; I was nervous about it at the beginning, but in the few days beforehand there was too much about it for the motion not to pass.' Of the eight players present at Croke Park on Monday for the launch of the 2025 championships, seven wore shorts. Armagh's Nicola Woods wore a skort and the defender pointed out that nearly all her teammates togged out in skorts for last weekend's championship clash against Roscommon. I have an uncle in America and he was on the phone to my mother wondering if we were wearing shorts or skorts at the weekend — Méabh Cahalane 'Personally, I prefer shorts even though I'm wearing a skort here today,' said Woods. 'I think everybody just wanted players to have a choice. 'Unlike probably many counties, a lot of the Armagh girls are keen to keep the skort. For our game on Saturday, I think I was the only one on the team who wore the shorts.' Cork captain Méabh Cahalane also supported the campaign for players to have a choice. The late postponement of the Munster final between Cork and Waterford denied Cahalane the opportunity of leading her team to a possible provincial title earlier this month. [ Camogie president targets filling Croke Park for All-Ireland final Opens in new window ] [ Nicky English: Improving Galway will be serious opposition in Leinster final but nervous Cork continue to struggle Opens in new window ] There remains uncertainty around when the Munster final will be refixed because there is very little space in the calendar with the All-Ireland series now ongoing. However, Cahalane is pleased a resolution was found on the skorts-shorts issue. 'It obviously got huge coverage both on social media and in the news, it travelled fast and travelled wide,' she said. 'I have an uncle in America and he was on the phone to my mother wondering if we were wearing shorts or skorts at the weekend. I suppose it got huge coverage and hopefully now camogie, the game, will get the same coverage. 'Getting the result that a choice would be introduced, we were just delighted.'
The 42
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Galway overcome Dublin, Clare battle past Wexford in All-Ireland camogie championship
GALWAY, CORK, KILKENNY and Clare all picked up victories in the first round of games in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship this afternoon, with the two western counties going well to come through tough contests in front of their home supporters. Galway opened their championship campaign with a 0-15 to 1-6 victory over Dublin at a rain soaked Kenny Park in Athenry. The visitors made a strong start with a goal after 10 minutes from Aisling Gannon, while points from Sinéad Wylde and Aisling Maher (free) had the visitors 1-2 to 0-2 ahead after 18 minutes, threatening an upset win for the Dubs against last year's All-Ireland finalists. Galway leaned heavily on the expertise of team captain Carrie Dolan and her dead ball skills in the first half as she was the only scorer for the Tribeswomen in that opening 30 minutes, registering four frees, one 45 and two from play, while points from Wylde and Grace O'Shea scores left the sides level at half time, 0-7 to 1-4. Galway proved too strong in the second half, outscoring the visitors by 0-8 to 0-2 in what were incredibly difficult conditions for the teams to show their quality. Dolan added four from placed balls while Sabina Rabbitte, Mairéad Dillon, Caoimhe Kelly and Niamh Mallon also chipped in. Two Aisling Maher frees were all that Dublin could add to their tally in the second half as the home side ran out winners. Advertisement The other Group Two fixture saw Kilkenny record a 3-26 to 0-9 win over Derry in Owenbeg, with the Cats in complete control throughout. Kilkenny led by 0-9 to 0-2 and already had six different scorers on the board when Katie Nolan fired their first goal of the afternoon after 16 minutes. The visitors led by 1-15 to 0-3 at the interval with Sarah Barcoe picking off three from play. Orlaith Hull tallied all three of Derry's scores from frees during the first half. The half-time interval didn't change the flow of the game as Kilkenny picked up from where they left off in the second period, with Sophie Holden and Steffi Fitzgerald adding goals. Derry got second half points through Sinéad and Áine McGill, but the Ulster side were left in no doubt as to the task on their hands if they are to rebuild their championship in advance of another fiercely tough test against Galway next Saturday. Kilkenny will go back home and play host to Waterford next weekend, with Dublin on a bye before taking on the Cats in round three. In Cusack Park in Ennis, the home side overcame Wexford on a 0-15 to 1-9 scoreline. A tough and competitive game saw Clare take a 0-10 to 1-5 lead into the interval before the scores became even harder to come by in the second half. Ziyan Spillane struck five first half points for the Banner (three frees) while Róisín Begley landed three from play. Joanne Dillon struck four placed balls for Wexford at the other end while the highlight reels will be dominated by a superb goal from Wexford's Anais Curran, a brilliant shot to the top right-hand corner. The second half was equally competitive, but Clare shaded the scoring with Ellen Casey tallying two vital scores. Dillon added two at the other end, bringing her personal tally to 0-6 for the afternoon, but it wasn't enough as Wexford couldn't find a way to engineer the second goal they badly needed. There was no surprise in Páirc Uí Rinn were reigning champions Cork recorded a facile victory over Limerick. Ger Manley's charges ran out 6-25 to 0-5 winners over the Treaty county, who now face into a crucial battle with Wexford next weekend in Rathkeale. First half goals from Amy O'Connor, Katrina Mackey, and Orlaith Cahalane saw the Leesiders lead by 3-12 to 0-1 at half time. Limerick's sole scoring coming from a Caoimhe Costelloe free. It didn't get much better for Limerick in the second half, with Cork adding goals through Cahalane, and two from Clodagh Finn, while they also racked up another 13 points for good measure. O'Connor (1-7), Cahalane (2-3), Finn (2-3) and Mackey (1-4) all had productive afternoons in front of the posts for the Rebels, with Laura Southern hitting two point from play for Limerick to go with Costelloe's three frees. Cork will travel to Tipperary next weekend, with Clare resting up in this group.
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Camogie wrap: Galway, Cork, Kilkenny and Clare win in first games since vote to allow wearing of shorts
Galway, Cork, Kilkenny and Clare all picked up victories in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship on Saturday afternoon in the first round of games since a special congress vote at Croke Park ruled that shorts can become part of the official kit for the code. On Thursday, the Camogie Association voted overwhelmingly in favour of the rule change which as a result means players now have the option of wearing shorts or skorts. With the new rule in place, Galway opened their championship campaign with a 0-15 to 1-06 victory over Dublin at a rain soaked Kenny Park in Athenry. The visitors made a strong start with a goal after ten minutes from Aisling Gannon, while points from Sinéad Wylde and Aisling Maher (free) had the visitors 1-02 to 0-02 ahead after 18 minutes, threatening an upset win for the Dubs against last year's All-Ireland finalists. Galway leaned heavily on the expertise of team captain Carrie Dolan and her dead ball skills in the first half as she was the only scorer for the Tribeswomen in that opening 30 minutes, registering four frees, one 45 and two from play, while points from Wylde, and Grace O'Shea scores left the sides level at half time, 0-07 to 1-04. Galway proved too strong in the second half, outscoring the visitors by 0-08 to 0-02 in what were incredibly difficult conditions for the teams to show their quality. Dolan added four from placed balls while Sabina Rabbitte, Mairéad Dillon, Caoimhe Kelly and Niamh Mallon also chipped in. Two Aisling Maher frees were all that Dublin could add to their tally in the second half as the home side ran out winners. The other Group Two fixture saw Kilkenny record a 3-26 to 0-09 win over Derry in Owenbeg, with the Cats in complete control throughout. Kilkenny led by 0-09 to 0-02 and already had six different scorers on the board when Katie Nolan fired their first goal of the afternoon after 16 minutes. The visitors led by 1-15 to 0-03 at the interval with Sarah Barcoe picking off three from play. Orlaith Hull tallied all three of Derry's scores from frees during the first half. The half-time interval didn't change the flow of the game as Kilkenny picked up from where they left off in the second period, with Sophie Holden and Steffi Fitzgerald adding goals. Derry got second-half points through Sinéad and Áine McGill, but the Ulster side were left in no doubt as to the task on their hands if they are to rebuild their championship in advance of another fiercely tough test against Galway next Saturday. Kilkenny will go back home and play host to Waterford next weekend, with Dublin on a bye before taking on the Cats in round three. In Cusack Park in Ennis, the home side overcame Wexford on a 0-15 to 1-09 scoreline. A tough and competitive game saw Clare take a 0-10 to 1-05 lead into the interval before the scores became even harder to come by in the second half. Ziyan Spillane struck five first-half points for the Banner (three frees) while Róisín Begley landed three from play. Joanne Dillon struck four placed balls for Wexford at the other end while the highlight reels will be dominated by a superb goal from Wexford's Anais Curran, a brilliant shot to the top right-hand corner. The second half was equally competitive, but Clare shaded the scoring with Ellen Casey tallying two vital scores. Dillon added two at the other end, bringing her personal tally to 0-06 for the afternoon, but it wasn't enough as Wexford couldn't find a way to engineer the second goal they badly needed. There was no surprise in Páirc Uí Rinn were reigning champions Cork recorded a facile victory over Limerick. Ger Manley's charges ran out 6-25 to 0-05 winners over the Treaty county, who now face into a crucial battle with Wexford next weekend in Rathkeale. First-half goals from Amy O'Connor, Katrina Mackey, and Orlaith Cahalane saw the Leesiders lead by 3-12 to 0-01 at half time. Limerick's sole scoring coming from a Caoimhe Costelloe free. It didn't get much better for Limerick in the second half, with Cork adding goals through Cahalane, and two from Clodagh Finn, while they also racked up another 13 points. O'Connor (1-07), Cahalane (2-03), Finn (2-03) and Mackey (1-04) all had productive afternoons in front of the posts for the Rebels, with Laura Southern hitting two point from play for Limerick to go with Costelloe's three frees. Cork will travel to Tipperary next weekend, with Clare resting up in this group.
Irish Examiner
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
'It's a victory for the sport': Dublin captain welcomes rule change after skorts row
Dublin senior camogie captain Aisling Maher has welcomed the decision to allow players to wear shorts instead of skorts. The rules were changed at a special Congress at Croke Park held by the Camogie Association on Thursday, with 98% of the 133 delegates voting in favour of the change. Earlier this month, Kilkenny and Dublin saw their Leinster senior camogie semi-final come close to being called off when players from both sides originally lined out in shorts instead of the regulatory skorts. The game only went ahead after the players went, as ordered by the referee, back to the dressing rooms at St Peregrine's GAA club, Blanchardstown and put on skorts before standing for the national anthem ahead of the 3.30pm throw-in. Following this, the Munster final was postponed 16 hours before its scheduled throw-in time after Cork and Waterford players said they would be wearing shorts rather than skorts. Ms Maher, who is also co-chair of the Gaelic Players Association, was asked on RTÉ's Morning Ireland what she thought of the decision, which 98% of delegates voted for. She said: 'It's a victory for the sport in general. It's a victory for players who are presently playing. 'I also think it's a victory for young players coming up, who will now be able to make a choice about what they wear while they play.' She said protests that she and other players had been involved with 'definitely accelerated the speed of change' on the issue. Despite the issue being brought up in the past and not acted on, she said she did not believe the rules would have been changed 'without some form of extreme action', adding that 'unfortunately, the protests probably were warranted'. Aisling Maher. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Asked if the row had damaged the game, she said that it had certainly caused 'a huge amount of frustration with players'. But she said what was important was that the issue had been dealt with ahead of the forthcoming All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, which Cork won last year. Had it not been, she said it would have led to the championship being disrupted. She said: 'Had we not got to this point where the introduction of the shorts prior to championship was achieved, I think a huge amount of damage would be done through the championship, either not being played or played under protest, or potentially with games being cancelled again. 'I think it's a significant positive development that this change has been introduced before that championship begins. 'I hope that going forward we can learn from it, and not put ourselves in similar positions again for actual long-term damage. 'I hope that this is something we can recover from. You have to see the positives in this.' She added: 'The beginning of the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship has probably never got as much attention and publicity, and hopefully some of that attention will stay with camogie in a more positive light.' Skorts were first worn in September 2003 but have since been seen by a majority of players as archaic. The Camogie Association last year had rejected a request by players, who see skorts as uncomfortable, that they be allowed to wear shorts. Camogie Association president Brian Molloy described Thursday's decision as a 'very important moment for the Camogie Association', saying he welcomed it. 'The association listens to its members. We've always listened to our members. We're a representative democracy.' Read More Fergus Finlay: Skorts row might seem silly but it highlights a bigger issue
