Divisional teams won't be able to field in Cork Senior Championships

It could be the end of the road for Cork divisional camogie sides in the senior club championship.

Recent winners Seandún, Carbery, six-time victors Imokilly, Muskerry, the champions back in 2007, and Carrigdhoun, will not be able to field teams this season due to a rule passed down from the Camogie Association.

This is not a Cork Camogie Board ruling but came from headquarters following a query from a Cork club. 

The rule states that: 

'Any player who plays a higher-graded championship is not eligible thereafter to play in a lower-graded league or championship in the same year. This applies to all graded competitions e.g. adult and under-age A, B, and C competitions.'

As such any player who plays on a divisional team at a higher grade, is not permitted to play back at the lower grade with their club as they would be 'graded' as a senior player. Cork were granted a derogation for one year only, in 2024, from this rule.

So under the rule, if a player decided to play at divisional level, the likes of St Vincent’s Amy O’Connor or Brian Dillon's Niamh O’Leary,  they couldn’t return to club duty after.

Clubs and divisional representatives were informed by the board at a meeting this week and at least one division has already informed players they won’t be entering the championship this season, with all others expected to follow.

RELEASE

Technically, the divisions are still able to participate but no player could play for them and their club so naturally the clubs won’t release the players because of that ruling.

Over the last number of years, the divisional sides gave players a chance to play at a higher level and also was an opportunity to be seen by Cork selectors, both at adult and underage levels. This opportunity is now gone.