Cork Camogie: Divisional sides ruled out of club championship after vote

It’s the end of the road for divisional sides in the Cork senior camogie championship.

Recent winners Seandún, Carbery, six-time victors Imokilly, Muskerry, the champions back in 2007, and Carrigdhoun will now not be in the draw for the championship, after a Cork motion at the Camogie Association’s National Congress was defeated on Saturday.

A year ago, this matter arose and credit to Cork Camogie Board they made a case to the national association to allow divisional sides play in the championship.

After some discussions, the Cork Camogie Board send out correspondence to those involved stating: “Ard Comhairle have approved the request for derogation for 2025 to allow divisional teams to enter senior championship.

“Please note the derogation is for 2025 only and will require a motion for a rule change at Congress 2026. It should be noted that there is no guarantee that any motion brought to congress will pass.” 

Cork brought that motion to congress on Saturday, and it was defeated by a large margin, despite the best efforts of the Cork board to get it passed.

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

What it now means is that if a player lined out at senior level with a division in the Cork Championship, they could then not play at a lower level for their 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 underage A, B, and C competitions.” 

That would mean that if the likes of St Vincent’s and Cork star Amy O’Connor decided to play for Seandún then she could not go back and play for her club afterwards.

The Cork board have been in touch with the divisions already to let them know what happened at congress in which they stated: “As you are no doubt aware congress was on this weekend and Cork had two motions on the clár in relation to divisional participation in our senior championship.

Unfortunately, when the first main motion was discussed, it was extensively defeated only receiving 17% support. As this motion failed the second motion then had to be withdrawn as it related to the motion that failed.

“The means that divisions will not now be in the draw for the Cork Senior Camogie Championship. The officers thought it was important to communicate directly with the divisions ahead of the congress report at Tuesday’s county board meeting.” 

Padraig Treacy, chairman of the Cork Camogie Board was disappointed their motion wasn’t passed.

“We brought it to our own Cork convention where it was passed and supported by all involved,” said Treacy.

“We then brought it to the national congress and lobbied hard to try and get is passed, but unfortunately it was defeated. We are disappointed it wasn’t but with the ruling it now means our hands are tied and there is nothing more we can do for now.

“We will see clarity on a number of issues and see what happens after that.”