Camogie Association to vote on skort issue in special congress

The Camogie Association will hold a special congress on May 22 to resolve controversy over players forced to wear skorts instead of shorts.

They will vote on the introduction of a rule which allows players to wear either skorts or shorts. The new rule, if passed, will be in effect immediately.

The decision follows controversy at the Leinster semi-final last Saturday, where players from both sides wore shorts in protest and were forced to change or risk cancelling the game.

A recently released survey by the GAA had found that 70% of players were uncomfortable wearing skorts and 83% believed they should be allowed to choose shorts or skorts.

Two separate motions were put forward at last year's congress to change the rule regarding skorts. Both motions were defeated, initially preventing the issue from being reintroduced until 2027.

The Camogie Association had proposed to vote on the matter earlier, in 2026, but in a recent statement they said they understand 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," the statement read.

Captain of the Dublin team Aisling Maher, who was among those forced to change at the Leinster semi-final, described the moment as a "career low" and hopes the Congress will be "more representative of how players feel on the ground."

"I really welcome the news that the Camogie Association are recognising how significant this issue is for players, they have realised postponing the issue until 2026, never mind 2027, is just not soon enough," Maher said.