'This isn't about fashion': Calls for urgent change to camogie skort rules

A camogie manager and Cork city councillor has called for a change to rules which dictate that camogie players must wear a skort — a skirt over a pair of shorts — ahead of Cork’s appearance in the Munster final this weekend.

It comes as last weekend Dublin and Kilkenny were forced to change into skorts for the Leinster semi-final after wearing shorts in protest.

Speaking to RTÉ, Cork camogie player Ashling Thompson said Cork will wear shorts in Saturday’s Munster senior camogie final against Waterford. If they are asked to change to skorts, they will refuse to do so — even if it means abandoning the game and handing over the Munster title.

A joint statement this evening on behalf of the Cork and Waterford camogie panels, via the GPA, read: “We look forward to representing ourselves, our clubs, our counties and our supporters in Saturday’s Munster final.”

It added: “We will be at The Ragg in Tipperary with the intention of getting the better of each other on the field of play.

“We will be togged out wearing shorts. That is our choice”.

Sinn Féin councillor Michelle Gould, who played camogie for many years and is secretary of St Vincent’s Camogie Club and manager of the UCC Senior B camogie team, expressed disappointment that, in 2025, “the debate over whether players can wear shorts instead of skorts still dominates headlines, distracting from the athleticism, dedication, and passion that define the game”.

“This isn’t about fashion. It’s about comfort, practicality, and most importantly, player retention,” she said.

“As someone with a deep love for camogie, having been involved as a player, manager, and coach across Cork teams, third-level colleges, and schools, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to keep girls involved in sport.

“The last thing we should be doing is adding unnecessary barriers to participation.”

She added that at last year’s Camogie Congress, two motions were put forward: One to replace the skort, and another to allow players the choice between skorts and shorts, but both were defeated: “Under current rules, playing regulations like this can only be reviewed every three years — meaning no change until 2027.”

It is understood that the Camogie Association will discuss the matter at the annual congress in 2026 on the issue.

Ms Gould said: “A working group has been formed by the Camogie Association to look into issues of gear comfort, design, and performance, and there is talk that Árd Comhairle could table a motion to revisit the uniform rule, but time is of the essence. This is not about criticising the Camogie Association or county boards like Cork Camogie. Everyone involved wants what’s best for the sport, but the current media attention and recent player protests show a clear appetite for change.”

The Echo contacted the Camogie Association for comment.