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RTÉ News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Familiar foes meet in decider after tumultuous summer
The 2025 All-Ireland camogie final provides us with a comfortably familiar pairing after a season of upheaval. Whatever the outcome this weekend, we know that both posterity and the casual observer will likely remember the 2025 camogie season for ' skortgate '. The saga is sure to be allocated a couple of minutes on Reeling in the Years whenever they get around to making it. It was a controversy that could easily have been averted. Throughout 2024, it was clear from GPA surveys that the consensus among the players was for a change in the regulations to allow shorts to be an option. Nonetheless, at last year's Congress, Camogie Association delegates rejected two motions that would have allowed for choice. That teed up this summer's protest, which wound up generating international headlines and led to female parliamentarians donning shorts on the plinth in Leinster House. The Dublin-Kilkenny joint-protest ahead of their Leinster championship encounter kicked the controversy into a higher plane, sparking a crisis which saw the Cork-Waterford Munster decider being deferred after the All-Ireland champions released a statement indicating they would refuse to play in skorts. Brian Molloy, the association's first-ever male president, called for a hastily arranged Special Congress where the matter could be resolved. Despite expressions of pessimism from players and ex-players, it was clear which way things were headed. A whopping 98% of the 133 delegates voted to allow change - leaving only three or so delegates who were willing to torpedo the entire season in order to insist on the maintenance of tradition. This week, Molloy invoked those two crazy weeks in May as a challenge to supporters to come out and support the games in person. "This time the message should be to all of their (camogie players') followers, and all of their constituents because there were a lot of politicians, senators, TDs, Ministers involved, they need to communicate the importance of actually physically supporting the players, not just verbally supporting the players, and that means turning up to Croke Park," Molloy told the Irish Examiner this week. "Demonstrate physical, tangible support for the women that in May they called on the Association to support." Camogie finals have tended to lag well behind women's football finals in attendances. Football deciders have regularly attracted crowds in the 40-50,000 range, with a couple of finals delivering crowds in excess of 50,000. By contrast, All-Ireland camogie final day has only witnessed one crowd north of 30,000, for the relatively novel Cork-Waterford final in 2023. At least part of this is attributed to the strength of Dublin - and to a lesser extent, Meath - in women's football. Notably, the 2024 football decider between Kerry and Galway saw crowds plummet to just over 30,000, with the Dublin-Meath final last week generating a crowd of 48,000. At the end of it all, the final is a repeat of last year's decider. Indeed, no final pairing has been as common as this one in the past three and a half decades. This will be the ninth Cork-Galway All-Ireland final since 1993, which was the latter's first appearance in a final since the early 1960s. Cork, who have none of the scar tissue in finals that now hangs over their male counterparts, are aiming for a three-in-a-row and seeking a 31st title which would take them five clear in the roll of honour. It was the strength of their bench that proved decisive in last year's showdown, with subs Sorcha McCartan - from Down - and Clodagh Finn together landing the last three points of the game after Galway had drawn level following a second-half surge. There was a bitter dispute over the ultimately decisive goal, Katrina Mackey failing to make contact on the ball with her hurl as she hustled it over the goal-line. Ger Manley's side made exceptionally light work of Group 1, amassing a score difference of +90, with only Clare avoiding a double-digit defeat (0-21 to 1-09). They were troubled by Waterford in the second of the Nowlan Park semi-finals, with Beth Carton hitting 1-03 as the underdogs led 1-07 to 0-09 at the break. However, the wind was always a factor and Cork's superiority told in the second half, even if the 10-point margin in the finish was a little flattering to the champions. Substitute Orlaith Mullins, who replaced McCartan, rustled up 1-02 in the dying embers to put a further gloss on the scoreline. Saoirse McCarthy and Mackey carried much of the scoring load in the semi, registering 0-07 and 0-04 respectively. Cork are especially strong in the middle third where the highly experienced and decorated duo of Ashling Thompson and Hannah Looney exert a major influence. Cork camogie's hex around the 'threepeat' exceeds even that which affected the Kilkenny hurlers for years - this being an exceptionally first world problem admittedly. They've done the back-to-back seven times since the beginning of the 1990s - indeed they rarely win All-Ireland titles in singles. But they haven't mustered three on the bounce since their four in a row team of the early 1970s (1970-73). "Everyone you talk to is talking about it," said Amy O'Connor this week, when asked about the three-in-a-row bid. "For ourselves, you have to acknowledge it. It's an unbelievable position to be in but it's not something we're going to focus on too much. "It's another final. Every final you get to you want to win so we're not trying to go out and specifically focus on the three in a row, we're focusing on the final and trying to win that." For Galway, it's been a season of renewal which has seen longstanding manager Cathal Murray usher in a new crop of players while overseeing an uptick in performance. The westerners, who last won the title in 2021, beating Cork in the final, rather crept into last summer's decider, squeezing by Waterford and Tipperary in the knockout stage. By contrast, they cut a greater dash this year, registering impressive wins over Waterford, Kilkenny and Dublin in the group phase and then accounting for Tipp by seven points in the semi. This is all the more impressive given the turnover in personnel. Three-time All-Ireland winner Niamh Kilkenny, player of the year in the 2019 victory, stepped away in the off-season, while experienced inside forward Niamh Hannify also left the fold. On top of that, Murray has lost both Aine Keane and Niamh McPeake to injury. But there's been an influx of youth with the teenage trio of Caoimhe Kelly, Olwen Rabbitte and Ciara Hickey all nailing down places, Kelly hitting 0-02 from play in the semi-final. Murray also presided over Galway's triumph in the inaugural All-Ireland Under-23 title, where they beat Cork 1-11 to 1-08. The former Sarsfields player, who guided his club to the Galway SHC title in 2015 before taking over county camogie job in late 2018, has copper-fastened his managerial credentials and is seeking to garner a third O'Duffy Cup triumph in what has been a highly successful reign. Intriguingly, both sides will have Down women in action, Portaferry's Niamh Mallon - goalscorer against Tipp - lining up against former inter-county teammate McCartan and seeking a first All-Ireland senior title in her second year with Galway.
Irish Independent
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Peter ‘Chap' Cleere: If you weighed in during the skorts debate, get yourself to a camogie game
Players need fans to turn up — and to call out the lack of funding for key facilities Today at 00:30 This afternoon, Cork and Galway line out at Croke Park for the camogie final. It's the highest profile the sport will have had since May and the skort debacle. Remember that? As a camogie coach with four daughters who play the sport, the solution to me was immediately clear: allow players to choose between shorts and skorts. Choice is key. It prioritises players' comfort and performance. Once the ard chomhairle of the Camogie Association belatedly came to this conclusion, the media buzz died down, as did the public discourse. Interest in camogie dropped off. This leaves the players and volunteers to fight the same battles they were fighting back in April and for years before the skort issue. These battles are tough, and they are numerous. Firstly, camogie is underfunded and under-resourced. Insufficient investment in facilities, training programmes and development initiatives is hindering the game's growth at all levels. The discrepancy in the amount invested in hurling and in camogie is stark. This has been called out over many years. But, unlike the skorts, no one rings Liveline about it. I have never seen a headline in a national newspaper expressing outrage at training conditions. Where is the outcry about the lack of access to high-quality pitches, lighting and other essential infrastructure? What about clubs and counties that prevent our camogie stars accessing the top-class facilities reserved for hurlers? Investment is critical for developing talent and encouraging participation, and a lack of it is affecting player morale more than skorts did. In comparison to other sports, especially men's hurling and football, camogie is barely visible in the media. If senior inter-county camogie got the amount of press attention throughout the championship that it got during the skort debacle, imagine what it could do for the game. More consistent coverage could increase public interest and drive sponsorship for teams. Regular live broadcasting would expand the fanbase, leading to higher viewing numbers, which in turn leads to higher advertising revenue for the broadcaster. It is a win–win. But it is also a chicken and egg situation in that the current sporadic broadcasting of matches makes it difficult to expand the fanbase, which then makes it difficult to argue for increased coverage. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more I note that Coimisiún na Meán's Gender Equality Diversity and Inclusion Strategy commits to the promotion of women's sports. Since the publication of the strategy, there has been an obvious increase in the number of women's rugby and soccer matches broadcast live on Irish TV. There has not yet been a major increase in coverage of camogie. I hope this changes. The final and greatest battle we are facing is our apathy, reflected in low attendances. So many people were up in arms about the skort issue yet how many of them would turn up to support their county team or local club? We expect girls and women to represent parish and county but don't feel the need to cheer them on. If people don't feel valued, they walk away, and we can't be surprised that they do. I see this in Kilkenny; I'm sure other coaches across the country see it too. What camogie needs is for us to be passionate, not performative. If you weighed into a debate about skorts or posted a message of support on social media, why not call for our female athletes to get the same care and supports as their male counterparts. Better yet, buy a ticket to a match. Peter 'Chap' Cleere is a Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Sport Do you want to share your opinion on the issues raised in this article? Email to submit a response of up to 300 words to be considered for publication in our letters section
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Skort life or the long game: charting camogie's ongoing struggles for public approval
It has been a season like no other for the Camogie Association, starting with a front-page row over playing gear and climaxing in a repeat All-Ireland final amid ambitious hopes for a record turnout For decades, camogie has waged an often-futile pursuit of the back page. It was an inside off-lead at best. Sometimes reduced to a 'meanwhile'. Then last May, for a few tumultuous weeks, it was wall-to-wall front page – or the online equivalent. You know something strange is afoot when the Taoiseach is asked about this burning issue in Brussels. 'I believe women should be allowed to wear shorts,' Micheál Martin declared, while stressing that, as a politician, he wasn't looking to tell sports organisations how to manage their affairs.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Camán everybody! Cork and Galway fans head to Croke Park for camogie final
After all the talk about shorts and skorts, on Sunday it's going to be all about the silverware. Following weeks of early headlines about camogie's on-pitch dress code, the focus turns firmly tomorrow to the All-Ireland camogie final as heavyweights and defending champions Cork, who are out to do the treble, face last year's beaten finalists, Galway. While Cork are going in as favourites, the Tribeswomen, who have a poor record in the final, are going all out to spoil the three-in-a-row party on Leeside, in the hope of claiming their first All-Ireland title since 2021. Cork's Ashling Thompson evading Ailish O'Reilly of Galway at last year's All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final in Croke Park. It's effectively a rematch on Sunday as the counties face off at the culmination of a triple bill of sport and entertainment at Croke Park. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane But, as all Cork GAA fans know, after the painful second-half collapse of the county's senior hurling team against Tipperary in last month's All-Ireland hurling final, it's a game of two halves and anything can happen. Almost 28,000 fans attended last year's final, one of the highest recorded attendances in camogie history, and the Camogie Association said they expect a massive crowd in GAA headquarters tomorrow, with a triple header of fixtures and a range of new pre- and post-match entertainment planned. Camogie player Kaci Mae Hourigan in her Na Piarsaigh club colours will be supporting the senior women of Cork in the Camogie All-Ireland Final on Sunday. Picture: Jim Coughlan Laois and Armagh face off in the premier junior final for the Kay Mills Cup at 1pm, followed by the intermediate final between Kerry and Offaly at 3pm for the McGrath Cup, with the senior final the centrepiece at 5.15pm. Fans are in for more than just thrilling sporting action — they can expect a full day of family-friendly entertainment before and after the matches, both on and off the pitch. Fiadh Murphy and Lauren Hetherington all set with their camáns at the Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camp in Na Piarsaigh, and looking forward to supporting Cork in Sunday's senior camogie final. Picture: Chani Anderson There will be a tailgate party in the Croke Park Hotel from noon, featuring music and face-painting, with live DJ sets and a dance cam in Croke Park throughout the day, as well as T-shirt cannons and drumming performances. Brian Molloy, Uachtarán of the Camogie Association, said it promises to be a great day out as they continue work to improve the popularity of the game. Darcy Neville and Lucy Gardiner at Na Piarsaigh GAA Club on Fairhill in Cork with the Munster Minor Hurling Cup and the Munster Senior Hurling Cup and hopes that the senior camogie team bring home more silverware on Sunday. Picture: Jim Coughlan 'We've got something for everyone — from die-hard supporters to families looking for a memorable summer day out,' he said. 'With entertainment from start to finish, the atmosphere promises to be electric, both on and off the pitch. It's a true celebration of camogie, community and culture — you won't want to miss it.' Cork captain Meabh Cahalane and Galway's Áine Keane ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland camogie final. Sadly, Áine is sidelined due to injury but will be in Croke Park to cheer her county on. Keep up with squad news ahead of the finals at Picture: Morgan Treacy/Inpho But on the pitch, Cork's impressive firepower and strong subs bench could be the difference. Each team has a player among the top five scorers in this year's championship — Cork's Amy O'Connor is ranked third, with 5-30, including 20 points from frees and one '45, while Galway's Carrie Dolan is at number four, with 42 points, including 32 from frees and one '45. Ayesha Bintali, Keeva Bogue, and Áine Bruce enjoying the Cúl Camp at Na Piarsaigh GAA Club in Cork and looking forward to the camogie final in Croke Park on Sunday. Picture: Chani Anderson She's the only Galway player in the top 10, but Cork has a second player in the top 10 sharpshooters — Saoirse McCarthy. She has scored 1-18 on the road to the final — including eight points from frees — putting her at number nine in the top 10. Faye MacCormack, Ava O'Connor, Zoya Mumtaz, Radhika Karni, and Lily-May O'Sullivan enjoying the Kellogg's Cúl Camp in Na Piarsaigh GAA Club in Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson The stats also show that Cork has scored an average of 3-22 per game and conceded 11, compared to Galway's average score of 1-19 per game and conceding 10. Birthday girl Sadie McCormack with the Munster Minor Hurling Cup and the Munster Senior Hurling Cup. Picture: Jim Coughlan Cork are the most successful team in the history of the championship, with 30 titles, having won in 2023 and 2024, and aiming to be the first team to complete a three-in-a-row since Wexford in 2012. Galway have a very poor record in All-Ireland camogie finals, having appeared in 21 and lost all but four — 1996, 2013, 2019, and 2021. Kerry's Patrice Diggin and Offaly's Orlagh Phelan ahead of the intermediate camogie final between Kerry and Offaly which throws in at 3pm on Sunday ahead of the senior final between Cork and Galway. Picture: Morgan Treacy/Inpho So while the stats and form book suggest the O'Duffy Cup will be back on Leeside on Monday, anything can happen once the sliotar is thrown in. UCC will have a lot of interest in the game, with 17 members of the panel having played with UCC — eight are current students, and nine are graduates. The Glen Dimplex Senior Camogie Championship Final takes place in Croke Park on Sunday, with a 5.15pm throw-in.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Laois chairman PJ Kelly sceptical about deadline for Gaelic games merger
The integration of the three Gaelic games bodies has a better chance of becoming a reality if it is done organically, says Laois chairman PJ Kelly. The Timahoe man has reiterated his reservations about the 2027 deadline for the merger of the GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie Associations. Earlier this week, Camogie Association president Brian Molloy said that 2027 was the year the organisations committed to and added the female sports would have 'equal status, equal standing and equal support' to men's Gaelic football and hurling. However, Kelly remains pessimistic about the amalgamation process being completed in that timeframe and is unsure those charged with overseeing the integration have done enough to bring people with them. 'It's like anything that comes to an end, it can come to a natural ending as well and people find that a lot easier to accept,' says Kelly, who will be in Croke Park on Sunday to support Laois's premier junior camogie team against Armagh. 'So, similar to when you're starting out, it's a massive change in culture. 'If people felt that they could maybe take ownership of it, they wouldn't want it to fail. Whereas, if you're directing people below you that you have to do it this way, there's an element of resistance.' In December 2023, Kelly argued that the integration steering chairwoman, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, gave 'false hope' for the completion of the process. Although it's known the group meet in Croke Park monthly, have held several consultations, conducted a roadshow and established a fixtures oversight body earlier this year, Kelly highlights the lack of updates from them. 'Jim Gavin came in and spearheaded the rule changes. Probably the most significant and seamless changes we've ever had in the GAA. And people are behind it, spectators, players, administrators. But you have to say the right person was put in there, Jim Gavin. 'There is massive respect for Mary McAleese in her own regard but putting her in there she was probably outside of her comfort zone. When's the last time Mary McAleese came out with a statement? I don't want to run down Mary in any regard, but I still think that she gave us false hope in the beginning.' Nothing Kelly has seen has changed his mind that the 2028 date was on the aspirational side. 'Integration doesn't seem to be gaining the same traction as it did when it was brought out first. From working on the ground, the expectation from both the LGFA and Camogie Association is still there. 'We are facilitating it as best we can, but the same challenges are still there such as pitches, finance, etc. You could ask the question, what has changed in the last two years to give you a level of comfort to say that it's on track for 2027.' Kelly speaks of volunteers who are already stretched without taking on more work. Read More Watch: Meabh Cahalane carrying on the family tradition of captaining Cork 'To try and bring this together is probably a challenge that's been overlooked as well. Because I know from clubs, from county boards, it's getting harder to get administrators. 'A lot of them are burnt out at the moment, and this is probably the biggest challenge facing us. And where are we going to get the glut of new people with all this energy? I don't know. 'I can't see it (happening in 2027). I hope I'm wrong, but I cannot see this. I can't put my finger on enough parts of the process to say this has changed, that has changed in the last two years, to say that we are where we need to be. 'I'd say if people on the ground were honest, you'd hear similar views. Of course, high up, they want it to work on time. If I see progress, I'll reconsider my position but I haven't yet.' The one-club model has been heralded as a means of expanding integration from the bottom up but there are issues with that too, Kelly points out. 'We have clubs that operate that policy in Laois but when the JP McManus money came and it was welcome, suddenly they weren't one clubs because the LGFA and Camogie Association in those clubs wanted their share and we split the money that way. How strong is that one-club model when it comes to money?'
