Latest news with #AoifeLanigan
Extra.ie
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Camogie players forced to change into skorts after protest at Kilkenny-Dublin match
Players from the Kilkenny and Dublin senior camogie teams were ordered to change by match officials after taking to the field wearing shorts instead of the regulation skorts during Saturday's Leinster Senior Semi-Final at St Peregrine's GAA Club in Blanchardstown. The move was part of a coordinated protest against what players described as an 'archaic' rule requiring camogie players to wear skorts – a garment combining a skirt and shorts – during official matches. The protest came to a head when the referee intervened, informing both teams that the match would not proceed unless all players changed into the mandated attire. A general view of the Naomh Peregrines GAA Club. Pic: Inpho While Kilkenny stood for the national anthem, the Dublin team walked off the pitch. Eventually, all 30 players returned to the dressing rooms and re-emerged in skorts, allowing the game to go ahead. According to Camogie Association rules, players must wear a 'skirt/skort/divided skirt' during matches. Non-compliance can result in a yellow card, escalating to a red card if players continue to refuse. While Kilkenny stood for the national anthem, the Dublin team walked off the pitch. Pic: Aisling Maher/Instagram Kilkenny Camogie PRO Aoife Lanigan told the Irish Times that while some players don't object to the current dress code, many find the requirement frustrating and outdated. 'With the Camogie Association, LGFA, and GAA set to merge into one body by 2027, will players still be required to wear skorts if we're all under the same umbrella?' she asked, highlighting the need for uniform policy reform. Following the game, Dublin captain Aisling Maher posted a message on her Instagram page that said. '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.' Despite the pre-match disruption, Kilkenny emerged victorious, defeating Dublin 4-11 to 2-12.
The 42
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Dublin and Kilkenny players forced to change to skorts after protest-wearing shorts
CAMOGIE PLAYERS FROM the Kilkenny and Dublin teams were forced to change by match officials after the two teams arrived to the pitch wearing shorts rather than the mandated skorts this afternoon. The players' move ahead of the Leinster senior championship semi-final was in a coordinated protest against the 'archaic' rule that camogie players must wear skorts – a skirt with a pair of shorts attached underneath – while playing. The players were told to change by the referee, who said that otherwise the match would not be allowed to take place. The Kilkenny team stood on the pitch while the national anthem played, while the Dublin team walked off. Eventually, all thirty players returned to the dressing room to change and emerged in the mandatory skorts to play the match. Advertisement Under the rules of the Camogie Association, players must wear a 'skirt/skort/divided skirt' while playing matches. A referee can issue players with a yellow card for not wearing the correct uniform, and a red card if they continue not to comply. Kilkenny Camogie's PRO Aoife Lanigan said that many players have reported annoyance at the mandated skort-wearing during games, while others don't mind the rule. In 2027, the Camogie Association, LFGA, and the GAA are set to become one integrated body. 'If we are going in 2027 to join the three of them together, are we still going to be wearing skorts, if we're all part of the GAA?' Lanigan said. She pointed out that the camogie uniform has come through a slow but steady transformation over the years. Previously, the uniform featured long skirts and pinafores. The skort is the final hangover in the modern rendition. All Ireland Camogie semi final, Parnell Park, Kilkenny vs Cork 7/8/1999 - Cork's Sinead O'Callaghan tries to get away with the ball. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO The rules of the game cannot be changed until Congress. In a position paper released by the Gaelic Players Association earlier this week on the matter, it reported that 83% of the 650 inter-county camogie players surveyed would prefer to wear shorts or believe that players should have the option to choose. Of the players surveyed, 70% reported discomfort while wearing skorts, and 65% reported concerns about exposure in media content, affecting their mental state. The GPA summarised that its position is that players should have the choice on whether they want to wear either a skort or shorts while playing. Kilkenny won the match 4-11 to 2-12.
The Journal
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Camogie players forced to change to skorts after protest-wearing shorts at Kilkenny-Dublin match
CAMOGIE PLAYERS FROM the Kilkenny and Dublin teams were forced to change by match officials after the two teams arrived to the pitch wearing shorts rather than the mandated skorts this afternoon. The senior camogie teams played in the Leinster Senior Semi Final at St Peregrine's GAA Club in Blanchardstown today. The move was in a coordinated protest against the 'archaic' rule that camogie players must wear skorts – a skirt with a pair of shorts attached underneath – while playing. The players were told to change by the referee, who said that otherwise the match would not be allowed to take place. The Kilkenny team stood on the pitch while the national anthem played, while the Dublin team walked off. Eventually, all thirty players returned to the dressing room to change and emerged in the mandatory skorts to play the match. Under the rules of the Camogie Association, players must wear a 'skirt/skort/divided skirt' while playing matches. A referee can issue players with a yellow card for not wearing the correct uniform, and a red card if they continue not to comply. Kilkenny Camogie's PRO Aoife Lanigan said that many players have reported annoyance at the mandated skort-wearing during games, while others don't mind the rule. Advertisement In 2027, the Camogie Association, LFGA, and the GAA are set to become one integrated body. 'If we are going in 2027 to join the three of them together, are we still going to be wearing skorts, if we're all part of the GAA?' Lanigan said. She pointed out that the camogie uniform has come through a slow but steady transformation over the years. Previously, the uniform featured long skirts and pinafores. The skort is the final hangover in the modern rendition. All Ireland Camogie semi final, Parnell Park, Kilkenny vs Cork 7/8/1999 - Cork's Sinead O'Callaghan tries to get away with the ball. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO The rules of the game cannot be changed until the congress. In a position paper released by the Gaelic Players Association earlier this week on the matter, it reported that 83% of the 650 inter-county camogie players surveyed would prefer to wear shorts or believe that players should have the option to choose. Of the players surveyed, 70% reported discomfort while wearing skorts, and 65% reported concerns about exposure in media content, affecting their mental state. The GPA summarised that its position is that players should have the choice on whether they want to wear either a skort or shorts while playing. Kilkenny won the match 4-11 to Dublin's 2-12. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin and Kilkenny camogie players stage 'skort' protest: Game almost abandoned
There were chaotic scenes before today's Leinster Senior Camogie semi-final between Dublin and Kilkenny — which almost saw the game abandoned before it began. A planned protest by the Dublin and Kilkenny teams into the GAA's insistence on camogie players wearing 'skorts' saw all thirty players line-up for the National Anthem wearing shorts. The move meant that, under the Camogie association rules, referee Ray Kelly from Kildare could not allow the game to begin until they changed into skorts — a skirt with a pair of integral shorts hidden underneath. He reportedly told the teams management teams that the players would have to get changed in skorts or the match, which took place at St Peregrine's GAA club in Blanchardstown, would have to be abandoned. The protest came just days after the Gaelic Player Association (GPA) reinforced its position on the enforced use of skorts in camogie and stated that players should have the choice on whether to wear them or not and that player welfare should be prioritised over traditions. It took five minutes for the players to return to the dressing rooms wearing the mandatory skorts and the game started soon after, with Kilkenny winning 4-11 to 2-12. Both sides now face an anxious wait to see whether the Camogie Association will hand out any sanctions or fines for the move. Kilkenny PRO Aoife Lanigan told the Irish Times: 'They could face big fines and the players having their names written in a match report by the referee. 'The players were making a point for all to see (within the Camogie Association). When all three associations combine, the question will surely be why do women have to continue wearing skorts? Camogie players have voiced their disapproval of the mandatory wearing of skorts on many occasions in recent years but under camogie rules they must wear them while playing matches under rule 6(b) of the sport's code. A GPA spokesperson said: 'The GPA fully supports players having the right to choose between shorts or skorts and our position on this will not change. 'It is unacceptable that female athletes are being compelled to wear gear that they believe compromises their performance and well-being. We stand firmly with any player or team who opts for shorts and commend the Dublin and Kilkenny players for asserting that right today. 'These athletes were put in an impossible position — wear what they believe is right or face the prospect of the game being abandoned. As always, players chose to compete. 'We now call on the Camogie Association to listen to players and respect their autonomy'. Last week at the Camogie Association's Congress, motions calling for the rule to be changed were defeated and the issue can now not be up for debate until 2027 under the association's rules.
