Her Sport understands that an emergency meeting took place this evening, after a dispute arose at the Camogie Fixtures meeting yesterday.
It is yet to be confirmed however it is understood that despite the special meeting called, the Camogie Association will continue with their proposal to play the Club Championships in the counties in-between the National Inter-County Camogie League and the All-Ireland Inter-County Championships.
A meeting was called to find a resolution after all Senior counties (except one) were against the motion. Additionally, 82% of players voted for the inter-county season to be played first with the club games to follow.
The proposal from the Camogie Association has been met with criticism, with the inevitable cancellation of the All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship for a second year in a row, if the proposition goes ahead.
Last year, the Camogie Association axed the 2020 Minor Championship with the “crossover between minor teams and adult intercounty teams” a major factor behind the decision. This received backlash with the feeling that it was not promoting the grassroots of the game. With the majority of players in and around seventeen and eighteen years old, it’s a vital age in terms of development and player retention.
Absolute disgrace! They come out less than a month ago with a motion to support the dual player. Now the inter county footballer will be forced to make a decision whether or not they play with their club camogie team this summer! They couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery!
— Éanna Ó Maoilmhichíl (@eannamul) April 30, 2021
It has been strongly suggested that a schedule of the National Inter-County Camogie League followed directly by the All-Ireland Inter-County Championships would make the most sense as the athletes won’t need a long preseason, already match fit from the League, while some club teams and club athletes have yet to return to training.
Furthermore, there are concerns that counties will also struggle to get their Club Championships complete in the short window proposed by the Camogie Association.
At present the National Camogie League will commence on May 15th, with the Finals scheduled for the weekend of the 19th/20th June. These fixtures have already been finalised.
The most important part of our association is the players
BOTH Club and County.
Yet we rarely seem to be heard..
WHY!? @OfficialCamogie pic.twitter.com/mtfbLvqVfH
— Laura Treacy (@LauraTreacy2) April 30, 2021