Kelly urges Camogie to end Skorts edict

Tipperary North Labour T.D., and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Sports Committee Alan Kelly has said the rule enforcing camogie players to wear skorts is outdated.

Following a Leinster Championship semi-final between Dublin and Kilkenny on Saturday that was almost abandoned after players wore shorts onto the field in defiance of rule, before changing to skorts, Deputy Kelly said he intends to invite the Camogie Association to the Oireachtas Sports Committee to deal with this once and for all.

“It’s bananas that in today’s day and age there are rules forcing our camogie players to wear skorts, rather than their preferred choice of clothing when playing matches,” he said.

“It beggars belief that at a time when we should be working to continue encouraging women and girls to participate in sport, we’d see an own goal like this from the Camogie Association.

“Only this week, the GPA published a study that found 70% of inter-county camogie players find skorts uncomfortable, and 83% of players at least want the right to choose between wearing skorts and shorts.

“We can’t continue to ignore this. No sportsperson should have to tog out in gear that’s unsuitable and uncomfortable.

“While a motion on this was defeated at last year’s congress, I think we need to move faster on the issue of skorts, before the next time delegates can vote on the uniform at congress in 2027.

“I intend to speak to my Committee colleagues about inviting the Camogie Association to the Oireachtas Sports committee on this issue. We simply shouldn’t still be forcing women to wear skorts in this day and age.”