Latest news with #KarlO'Brien
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Dublin camogie chief Karl O'Brien fears for game if ‘shorts' motion fails
Dublin Camogie chairperson Karl O'Brien believes this week's Camogie Special Congress could prove to be a 'defining moment' for the sport if the motion that proposes a choice between skorts and shorts within the playing attire passes.
Irish Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Skorts controversy: Special congress called to vote on clothing issue
The Camogie Association has announced that it will hold a special congress to discuss and vote on the issue of wearing skorts. The issue came to prominence again last weekend following a protest by Kilkenny and Dublin senior camogie teams at the Leinster senior semi-final, whereby the players wore shorts instead of the regulatory 'skorts' , almost saw the match being completely called off. Later in the week, Dublin camogie instructed its referees to allow games to go ahead even if players refuse to wear skorts, despite the sport's rules stating that games should be abandoned when it happens. [ Skorts controversy: Dublin and Kilkenny camogie players may be sanctioned for wearing shorts Opens in new window ] In a circular sent to the county's referees, Dublin camogie chairman Karl O'Brien made it clear that games were not to be abandoned on the basis of shorts being worn instead of skorts. READ MORE In a statement on Thursday, the Camogie Association confirmed that a special congress on May 22nd, where there would be one item on the agenda and a vote held on whether or not to allow players wear shorts. According to the statement reported on RTÉ, the association said that the congress was being called 'to consider motion(s) to provide all players with the choice to wear skorts or shorts while playing camogie.' 'The decision on whether this motion is adopted will rest with the Congress delegates (delegates represent all members of the Association including all of our players). 'The Association had proposed to deal with this issue at next year's Congress but having listened to player feedback, the Association recognises that waiting until 2026 is not acceptable for many. Although similar motions did not pass at the 2024 Congress, the Association is committed to representing the voices of players who wish to have a choice in their playing attire. 'If the motion(s) passes, the new rule(s) - allowing the option to wear skorts or shorts - would take effect from May 24th 2025.' More to follow.
Irish Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Dublin camogie instructs referees to allow games go ahead even if players refuse to wear skorts
Dublin camogie has instructed its referees to allow games to go ahead even if players refuse to wear skorts, despite the sport's rules stating that games should be abandoned when it happens. On Tuesday night, a full round of senior league games took place across the county with several teams lining out in shorts in solidarity with their county players after last weekend's protest. In a circular sent to the county's referees earlier this week, Dublin camogie chairman Karl O'Brien made it clear that games were not to be abandoned on the basis of shorts being worn instead of skorts. It led to teams from Na Fianna, St Jude's, Castleknock, Ballyboden and several others lining out for their games on Tuesday wearing shorts. Referees were told to note the issue and put it in their report but to play the games regardless. 'Following on from the shorts/skorts protest at the weekend, we are aware that some clubs may support our county players in wearing shorts for club games this week. If you arrive for a game where a team or both wear shorts, I ask that you inform them that under rule, they are due to wear skorts but if they are going to wear shorts in the game that you are going to allow the game to proceed but will report accordingly to the County Board for them to deal with it. 'Our players want to play games and as a county board we are in the business of promoting camogie. But if games don't happen we aren't showcasing our wonderful sport.' READ MORE The move comes in the wake of the Dublin players protesting alongside their Kilkenny counterparts ahead of last weekend's Leinster championship match. Both teams turned up on the pitch wearing shorts, only to be told by the referee that he would have to abandon the match if they didn't change into skorts. The controversy has dragged on into the middle of this week, with no imminent sign of it ending. The news comes as the Camogie Association is said to be considering a compromise move, whereby a proposal will be allowed to go to the 2026 Congress to change the rules on playing attire. As it stands, no new rule changes are allowed until 2027, but according to a report on Tuesday night's Prime Time on RTÉ, it has been suggested that delegates may get to vote on a new proposal next spring. Even if that is the case, it would still mean that camogie players would have at least another 10 months of having to play in skorts or risk being sent off as individuals, or having their matches called off if they decide as a team not to wear the mandated attire. This weekend's Munster final between Cork and Waterford is set to become the next major flashpoint, with both teams indicating that they will turn up in shorts. The president and chief executive of the Camogie Association have both been approached for comment.
