Laois camogie players plunged into skort row

Laois camogie players will change from shorts to skorts if the referee in their Leinster Final insists on imposing the controversial skort rule before the game, which has caused consternation in the sport in recent weeks.

That's according to a statement issued by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) on behalf of panels from Laois, Carlow, Wexford and Kilkenny who are contesting the Leinster camogie finals in Carlow. 

Kilkenny and Wexford play in the senior final, with Carlow and Laois battling it out in the intermediate decider. However, the skort controversy has cast a cloud over all recent games involving the sport nationally.

The GPA outlined the stance of all players in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 14 and seen by the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"This weekend, following months of training and preparation, we are scheduled to go head-to-head for Leinster titles. Today, we come together, united, to make an almost impossible choice because camogie authorities refuse to do so.

"We will be togged out in shorts at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday and we want our choice to be respected.

"However, if the current outdated rule is enforced, we will change into skorts, solely to ensure the games are not abandoned. We will play the games under protest.

"As part of this protest, we do not consent to any photography or video to be taken of the matches themselves, should we be forced to wear skorts. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"We call on the Leinster Council to ensure this is enforced and we ask both the media and supporters to respect our position.

"We have made this decision based on the belief and trust that players will be listened to and heard. We expect camogie delegates will vote for choice at Special Congress on May 22 and that no further protest will be necessary.

"We stand steadfastly with our fellow players in demanding that choice," said the statement.

The GPA concluded that the players would not comment further until after the weekend.

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The statement is the latest chapter in sporting controversy, which has grabbed national and international headlines since May 3 when the first protest saw players from Kilkenny and Dublin being forced to change into skorts before their Leinster Championship semi-final could go ahead. 

There have been other protests since. The Munster Final was called off after Cork and Waterford players said they would wear shorts and would not change into skorts if instructed to do so.

The Camogie Association, which remains separate from the GAA, has responded to the row by calling a Special Congress for 22 May to vote on the issue. 

A recent Gaelic Players Association survey highlighted how 70% of players experienced discomfort while wearing the skort, and that 83% of players wanted an option to choose to wear shorts.

All eyes will be on Laois and Carlow players and the officials in the Leinster Camogie Intermediate Final around throw-in at 2pm on Saturday. It is the first game of the Leinster finals double bill.