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Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Katie Power: 'It was great to have done it … but those two weeks were tough going'
Katie Power never intended to become one of the faces of a national campaign. When she lined up for the toss as Kilkenny captain alongside Dublin's Aisling Maher for the Leinster camogie semifinal, she never imagined that image with the match referee would become iconic in terms of the whole shorts and skorts controversy. Ordered back to the dressing room to change so that the match could proceed under the existing rules governing playing attire, that was the image that quickly went viral. Speaking at the official launch of the 2025 Glen Dimplex All-Ireland camogie championships at Croke Park, only a matter of days after delegates to Special Congress voted 98 per cent in favour of allowing players a choice, Power admits to being 'overwhelmed' by it all. Kilkenny captain Katie Power. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile How the whole episode was 'tough mentally' and 'very draining'. But how the legacy of that stance has been a powerful and positive one. She ended up being the target of podcasters, social media influencers – you name it. All are looking for a piece of her and to talk through the impact of the protest action that day, which snowballed into a national and even international debate. How had she found the last few weeks? 'I found them tough going. I didn't expect what happened to happen – we were just making the protest to voice our opinions. I definitely wasn't aware of what was going to come. 'The two weeks after that were tough mentally, very draining. The phone was just absolutely blowing up, but for the better. 'I'm happy that we decided to do it. Obviously, what came in the aftermath was huge, but it's done with now. Kilkenny captain Katie Power. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile 'It was great to have done it, for the future of camogie and the younger girls, it's great. But those two weeks felt like two months.' Right in that moment of the matchday protest, she didn't know if the backlash would be negative rather than an overwhelming tide of support for player choice. The picture of a male referee, Ray Kelly, instructing two female captains on playing gear carried a power all of its own. 'I was probably away with the birds a small bit. It was only after the match that it kind of dawned on me that I was obviously in for the toss, and that was what was going to go out, that picture. It just didn't dawn on me until after that. 'Aisling is obviously a rep with the GPA [Gaelic Players Association]. She was there, obviously in for the toss and she kind of understood what was going to happen more than myself maybe. I think we did it for the right reasons.' Pic: © INPHO/Tom Maher The campaign for immediate change led on to the Munster final being postponed when Cork and Waterford declared their intention to wear shorts, and culminated in the Camogie Association quickly calling a Special Congress to vote on the issue of players being allowed a choice. Power didn't hear the news until the next morning. As a personal trainer, she had a 5 am start, so she was tucked up in bed for the verdict. 'I was working early, up at five o'clock so I said, 'here, I'm not going to be able to change this now', and I woke up, checked the phone.' She was confident it would be passed, especially after the example of Kilkenny, where players had been mandated through their clubs, and the support for change was obvious. 'There was too much about it for it not to go through. 'In Kilkenny anyway, the surveys went out through all the clubs, and if it was the same in every other county, there was only going to be one decision.' Were there any messages from people she didn't expect? 'Oh, a huge amount. Famous people, famous influencers, podcasters. I was trying to work, and they'd be looking to talk, and I just didn't have time for that. 'I did not see that coming at all and it was great because it did give it a huge exposure. I suppose that's probably what gave it that extra push for it to just get passed and to bring the Special Congress forward as well.' Power is asked if she thinks there's a way of turning all the publicity of the last few weeks into a positive for the game. 'Oh, I think the whole thing can be turned into a positive,' she says. 'People that have never really taken notice of camogie have taken notice. The amount of messages that we got from mothers of young girls that play camogie. Or teachers in schools that teach girls, bring them to camogie games or the blitzes. 'So that's another positive, that they now have the choice.'
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Camogie chief hopes skort drama helps fill Croker
Kilkenny captain Katie Power has revealed she was 'overwhelmed' by the scale of the skorts versus shorts controversy, describing the last few weeks as 'tough'. Experienced Power, in her 18th season as a Kilkenny senior, took a lead role in the initial protest action taken by the Kilkenny and Dublin squads prior to the Leinster semi-final earlier this month. Power and Dublin counterpart Ashling Maher were memorably pictured before throw-in wearing shorts, instead of the mandated skorts, though the game only went ahead when all of the players changed into skorts. Similar protests followed around the country, prompting a historic Special Congress vote last week to allow players the choice between skorts and shorts. Power was speaking at the launch of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland camogie championships where the majority of players were photographed in their county strips, wearing shorts. "I won't tell you a lie, I found those weeks tough going," said Power. "I was overwhelmed with everything that came with it and it was something that maybe I wasn't expecting. I 100 percent didn't expect what happened to happen. We were just making the protest, to voice our opinions. "I definitely wasn't aware of what was going to come and the two weeks after that were tough, mentally, as in very draining. We didn't know what was going to happen, were we going to have matches or not? "The phone was just absolutely blowing up but for the better. 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, great for the future of Camogie and the younger girls. But yeah, for those two weeks it was tough going, they felt like two months." The skorts versus shorts debate became an international story with The Guardian and The New York Times among outlets to carry the story. Power said she received a 'huge amount' of messages as well as opportunities to speak to various outlets about the issue. "Real famous people, famous influencers, podcasters," explained the personal trainer. "I was trying to work and they'd be looking to talk to you and I just didn't have time for that. But fair play, as in it was people taking a genuine interest. It was something I didn't see coming at all and it was great because it did give it a huge exposure and I suppose that's probably what gave it that extra push to bring the Special Congress forward and to get it passed." Power, 33, first played as a senior with Kilkenny when she was 15. "You see pictures and you wonder, how did I actually play in them?" she said of previous skorts. Cork captain Meabh Cahalane attended the launch and said the back-to-back All-Ireland winners 'felt a responsibility' to step up during the protest period. Cork and Waterford's scheduled Munster final fixture earlier this month was postponed after players signalled their intention to wear shorts. "If looking for a choice was something that girls wanted, we just felt we should speak up and speak on their behalf," said Cahalane. "It was obviously hugely disappointing that the Munster final did get cancelled because we had prepared for that really well." Both Kilkenny and Cork got their All-Ireland campaigns underway last weekend. Kilkenny defeated Derry by 3-26 to 0-9 while Cork were also at their ease when firing 6-25 beyond a stunned Limerick. Cork will take on Tipperary in Round 2 at The Ragg this Saturday. Armagh's Nicola Woods also attended the Championship launch and wore a skort at the event. "Personally, I prefer shorts myself even though I'm wearing a skort here today," said Woods. "I think everybody was just hoping to have the option, to have the choice to do what they prefer." Camogie President Brian Molloy acknowledged a 'challenging couple of weeks' for players and said he hopes the increased focus on camogie will translate into larger crowds. "I want all those people to keep their attention on camogie over the next number of weeks and months so that on August 10 (All-Ireland finals) we can fill the whole of Croke Park, we've never done it before," said Molloy.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Eilis O'Hanlon: Camogie skorts row was not a battle of the sexes – and victory won't help fill stadiums
Today at 21:30 As surprises go, the decision by the Camogie Association to back down and allow players to wear shorts if they want is right up there with such old reliables as French air traffic controllers going on strike in summer or Michael Lowry topping the poll in Tipperary North. Ever since it was announced that a Special Congress would be held at Croke Park to bring this fractious dispute to an end, the outcome was always likely to be as one-sided as last Sunday's Munster senior hurling final between Limerick and Cork.
The 42
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Postponed Munster final may have to be left in rear-view with skorts, says Déise captain
WATERFORD CAMOGIE CAPTAIN Lorraine Bray says a ripple of excitement reverberated around Thursday night's training session when news filtered through from Croke Park that players would be permitted to wear shorts after an overwhelming majority voted to pass the motion at Special Congress. Bray and her teammates, as well as their fellow Munster finalists Cork, were central to the groundswell that eventually yielded Thursday's result. Earlier this month, the Déise and Rebel panels jointly stated their intention to take a previous protest by Dublin and Kilkenny a step further and refuse to play their provincial decider in skorts, which were a previously mandatory piece of a player's uniform under Camogie Association Rules. That Munster final was consequently postponed at the 11th hour, with the Camogie Association stating that the game would be rescheduled for a date after Special Congress on 22 May. And while both Waterford and Cork have effectively accepted that their Munster final is, in reality, unlikely to be played at all — the All-Ireland series begins this weekend, and there is simply scant room in the calendar to re-litigate a provincial game — Déise skipper Bray is glad that she and her peers have at least achieved the material change that they fought for off the field. 'Look, we're delighted,' Bray told The 42. 'We actually all got the news when we were training together last night and there's a great buzz around the camp. 'Especially, I suppose, with the stance that Waterford and Cork made, it made it all the more impactful on us and we were just delighted with the outcome.' Bray says that she and her teammates contended well with the last few weeks' distractions, firstly zoning in on Munster final preparations for the most part and eventually, like Cork, pulling up the drawbridge on media interviews. Advertisement She acknowledges, however, that the skort issue was one which followed players out of camp, too, such was its prominence in the news cycle. Bray says the controversy impacted her 'on a personal level', explaining that 'anyone you meet was talking about it, so you were constantly hearing about it all right, but I suppose it's just being able to manage that yourself.' But with the skort issue consigned to the past at long last, what of the Munster final that was supposed to be played on 11 May? Unfortunately, Bray admits, that particular fixture may also need to be left in the rear-view. 'Yeah, I suppose as a group, we've kind of… our main focus, now, has been the All-Ireland series,' says Bray, who will captain her side when they begin their campaign against Kilkenny next Saturday (Cork face Limerick this coming Saturday). 'And when that match (the Munster final) was cancelled, like… we find it very hard to see any window where they're going to fit in a Munster final amongst the All-Ireland championship. 'So, I suppose we just had to move on and say, 'Look, this is our focus.' And we haven't heard anything back yet of when it might be rescheduled for, so I suppose we have kind of moved on, in a sense, in relation to it, which is very disheartening, like — especially for Waterford when it was only our second ever Munster final. 'So, it is very disappointing if it doesn't end up being played.' Bray says that the Waterford panel were 'shocked' when the game was called off by the Munster branch of the Camogie Association just 16 hours before it was due to throw-in at The Ragg in Tipperary. Munster Camogie said that it had taken the decision 'in the best interests of all players and officials involved' after both sets of players insisted that they would be unbending in their decision to wear shorts instead of skorts. 'We kind of had it in our heads that there's a possibility that it might be canceled on the day, but it actually didn't cross our minds that it might be canceled the night before and then when it was canceled at such short notice, I suppose that's where we got the bigger shock. 'So yeah, it was a lot of phonecalls over and back on Friday night and wondering what was going on or what was happening,' Bray adds. 'And like, everyone had their gearbags packed and, y'know, you're ready, you're prepared for Munster final, and we just wanted to go out there and play camogie at the end of the day, but it's just unfortunate the way it did end up. 'You have to kind of stand up for what's right, and this was definitely just one of these situations that we all had to be united together. And it was brilliant to have the support from the Gaelic Players Association as well, and we were just all united and you could feel that throughout the last few weeks, which was brilliant. 'But look, yeah, I suppose they're battles you don't want to be fighting, but at the end of the day, we'll stand up for what's right and what's right for players and getting players' voices heard.' Three-time All-Star Bray said that she was further inspired by the protests staged by minor sides and teams at younger age grades up and down the country. Their contributions, she explained, heightened the extent to which the skort issue took on a generational significance. And where the likes of the Waterford and Cork senior inter-county panels were equally fighting for future players, they were imbued in their cause by the support of those very teenagers and kids. 'I did realise that it would change, I suppose, the comfort levels and everything for the younger generation, but it was when they started making a stance as well that it really opened my eyes being like, 'This is powerful', and 'a player's voice is powerful', and 'if players' voices aren't being listened to, what are we at?' 'It definitely was impactful… When you see minor teams having that sense, standing up with senior players, saying, 'Look, we're not comfortable in this either, we're standing with these girls', it just shows how powerful the player's voice is.' Related Reads A historic moment for camogie but why did it take this long for choice to prevail? Camogie president hails 'fantastic victory for choice' as shorts added to sport's attire Shorts permitted in camogie after overwhelming majority vote at Special Congress As for the future of that most contentious garment, the skort, Bray doesn't anticipate that many inter-county players around the country will wear them anymore. But the players' protest was never about eradicating them from the camogie uniform, either, and Bray will take no issue with any player who sticks with tradition in the years to come. 'It's just pure down to choice and if players still want to wear skorts, I've no problem with it, and I'm sure other players don't have a problem with it. 'If you feel more comfortable in a skort, go for that. 'But the majority of players feel more comfortable in the shorts and I think that's just the way forward: just having that choice. And that's all we were fighting for all along, is just being able to have that choice.' - With reporting by Sinead Farrell
The 42
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
A historic moment for camogie but why did it take this long for choice to prevail?
'HE'S COMING….' The words we had been waiting for all evening had finally arrived. It was followed quickly by the sound of footsteps in the distance becoming gradually louder. In the room, there was a flicker of needless movement. A tap of a laptop key or another look at a phone to make sure a camera was facing the right way. Anything to feel a bit more ready. But, of course, we were already locked into position. Everyone had two of everything to cover both outcomes. Two drafts ready to be published. Two different messages to post on X. Motion passed. Or motion defeated. No to shorts. Yes to shorts. Which way would Caeser's thumb point? Surely, a marginal win either way, we thought. Advertisement And then Camogie Association President Brian Molloy began to speak. White smoke from the camogie conclave. An overwhelming yes to shorts and skorts together, he said. A 98% yes, if you please. In the end, it was all so simple and yet, it poses a pertinent question: why did it take this long for choice to prevail? 'Was their much debate?' one journalist asked after he delivered the outcome of the Camogie Association Special Congress. 'No,' came Molloy's response. 'There was no need for a debate,' he added later. An almost unanimous decision to empower players with the right to choose between skorts and shorts, and finally draw the curtain on a difficult few weeks for everyone involved in camogie. It comes just in time for the commencement of the All-Ireland camogie championship this weekend. Preparing for battle is the only burden players will carry. Playing under protest is no longer something they have to consider. Hearing about matches being postponed on the eve of throw-in is no longer something they have to fear. And while this was ultimately a night of celebration for camogie, one must also reflect on the misery players have endured to bring about this result. They are the ones who launched this movement. Camogie Association President Brian Molloy. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO They are the ones who emerged on pitches in shorts to make the public aware of their cause. They are the ones who either refused outright to play in skorts or would only agree wear skorts but without consenting to photography or video clips of their games. They are the ones who have been asked by media for interviews about their feelings on the matter, or for updates on what form of protest their team is planning for an upcoming game. Essentially, they are the ones left picking up the tab. Some provincial finals have been cancelled due to the protests, and there is no indication for when those games will be refixed. It will be difficult to find a free date with the All-Ireland championships now taking over the calendar. Many will feel this matter should have been resolved last year when two motions on skorts were put before the Camogie Congress. However, both were defeated. From that disappointment, a raging desire for change emerged. And yet, just one year on from that Congress, any sense of division on this matter has all but been severed. Only around three people out of 133 delegates voted to prevent the inclusion of shorts in the sport's playing attire. Since the media was not permitted to attend Special Congress, we can only rely on the president's description of how the delegates came to this decision. They began, he says, by having some food and interacting with each other. He added that it was clear that the delegates had engaged with their players before attending Special Congress to vote. Related Reads Camogie president hails 'fantastic victory for choice' as shorts added to sport's attire Shorts permitted in camogie after overwhelming majority vote at Special Congress Decision day as camogie set for major vote on skorts controversy 'It's been really difficult for the volunteers,' Molloy said while commenting on the challenging period that has preceded this historic moment. 'It's been really difficult for the players. Players just want to play camogie. 'I think the message that goes out to players is we will react, we will engage, we will work. If you talk to us we will work with you but we will do it within our rules. We can only do it within our rules. 'We cannot set aside rules just because people want us to. I'd like to see other associations that could point to turning around a rule change as quick as we have done here.' Throughout his address, he referred to how the Camogie Association responded to the outcry for choice and change within the sport. 'We didn't have you waiting too long,' he added. 'It was a fairly quick congress.' That may be true in the context of tonight. But on a broader scale, the players have waited too long for this.
