ONGOING controversy surrounding the wearing of skorts in camogie was raised within the Chamber of Clare County Council this week.
Councillors stood for eleven seconds in what they described as a “stand in solidarity” with camogie players across the county and country.
A special Congress is to take place on May 22nd where a motion to resolve the controversy surrounding players being forced to wear skorts will be put to a vote.
In a challenge last week, both Clare and Galway players wore shorts as opposed to skorts in protest of the rule. Saturday’s Munster final was cancelled by the Munster Camogie Association after it emerged both Cork and Waterford were to defy the rule.
Ennis based Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) raised the matter at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council. “I would like us to all stand in solidarity with camogie players to exercise their right to choose on skorts”.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) advised his colleague, “we’ve to be careful of standing orders”. He said a proposal was needed in writing to allow the matter be discussed.
Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) seconded the proposal with a unianmous show of hands from elected members on the floor to show their support to allow the matter be raised.
“We were all so excited to see our male hurlers in an All-Ireland final but to see a Munster camogie final pulled sixteen hours before it was due to go ahead is a disgrace,” stated Cllr Baker Bashua. She asked councillors to join her to “stand in solidarity” with camogie players.
They stood for a total of eleven seconds before resuming their seats and the order of business.
Editor of TheJournal.ie, Sinead O’Carroll speaking on Today With Claire Byrne noted the actions of politicians in raising the skort debate including Sinn Féin TDs wearing shorts to the Dáil and said there is a desire among camogie players that politicians now show the same energy and enthusiasm in ensuring there is adequate facilities and funding put towards the sport.