Ireland Boss Carla Ward Slams the ‘Ridiculous’ Skorts Controversy
Carla Ward, the Republic of Ireland women’s head coach, didn’t hold back when sharing her thoughts on the ongoing debate over camogie players being forced to wear skorts instead of shorts. She called the whole situation “absolutely ludicrous” and said it highlights the outdated way some people still think about women in sport. Ireland Boss Carla Ward Slams the ‘Ridiculous’ Skorts Controversy.
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Next week, Ward is set to announce her squad for Ireland’s upcoming Nations League games—an away match against Turkey and a home fixture versus Slovenia, which will take place at Cork GAA’s iconic SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. But the recent camogie drama has definitely grabbed her attention. Ireland Boss Carla Ward Slams the ‘Ridiculous’ Skorts Controversy.
Last Saturday’s Munster senior camogie final between Cork and Waterford was postponed because both teams planned to wear shorts, which goes against current rules that still require skorts. For Ward, it’s hard to believe this is even an issue in 2025.
“I thought it was a joke when I first saw it,” she said. “It’s absolutely mental that we’re even having this conversation. To me, it just screams of an old-school mentality that some places haven’t let go of. It’s frustrating to think there are still rules about what women can and can’t wear on the field.”
When asked about how the players’ preferences are clearly being ignored, Ward didn’t mince her words: “Exactly. And what does that tell us about the people making those decisions? Maybe it’s time they hand things over to a younger, more progressive generation.”
On a brighter note, Ward shared a bit of good news about veteran defender Louise Quinn. Although Quinn recently announced her retirement from club football, she’s not quite done with the national team. Ward confirmed Quinn has made herself available for selection through the summer, meaning fans may still see her in a green jersey a little longer.
“She gave me a call and said she’d retire in the summer, but wanted to stay available for now,” said Ward. “Lou is a total professional and a natural leader. Honestly, leadership is something we’ve been lacking, and she can help guide the younger players coming through.”
Unfortunately, Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan are likely to miss the upcoming matches due to injuries, but Megan Connolly and Kyra Carusa are back in the mix and ready to go.
