Skorts vs Shorts Vote: What You Need to Know
Camogie is on the verge of a major shift this week as the age-old debate between skorts and shorts comes to a head. For the first time ever, the Camogie Association is holding a Special Congress this Thursday at Croke Park, where members will vote on whether players should have the option to wear shorts instead of skorts during matches.
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What Are Skorts, and Why the Controversy?
By rule, camogie players must wear a skirt, skort, or divided skirt—shorts aren’t even mentioned. A skort combines shorts and a skirt, and it’s been the standard gear for over two decades, first appearing in 2003. However, as women’s football grows and offers more flexibility, many camogie players feel skorts are outdated, uncomfortable, and even unfair.
Where the Push for Shorts Came From
Frustration has been simmering for years, but things really kicked off when the Camogie Board of Britain, supported by Kerry and Meath, put forward a motion at the 2024 Congress. A GPA survey of 650 players showed 70% found skorts uncomfortable, and 83% wanted a choice. Still, the motion fell short—only 45% voted in favor, well below the two-thirds needed. A stricter motion to remove skorts altogether got just 36%.
Player Protests Heat Up
Things might have ended there until players began protesting by showing up to games in shorts. This included high-profile fixtures like Kilkenny vs. Dublin and the Munster final between Cork and Waterford, which was postponed due to teams planning to wear shorts. These protests echo last year’s #UnitedForEquality movement and reignited the conversation.
Not Everyone Is on the Same Page
Some teams, like Antrim and Derry, are split on the issue, with players taking internal votes. Others, like Offaly and Wexford, have made decisions based on whether their opponents planned to protest. So while many support the change, not all are ready to break tradition.
Who’s Voting and What Happens Next?
To pass the motion, around 100 votes are needed for a two-thirds majority. Voting power depends on county size and includes reps from schools, international units, and former presidents. Camogie president Brian Molloy has voiced support for giving players a choice, and momentum is building.
Support Beyond Camogie
Even outside camogie, people are weighing in. Ireland WNT manager Carla Ward called the situation “absolutely ludicrous,” and England hockey star Tess Howard, who helped change kit rules in her sport, said the camogie fight gave her goosebumps and solidarity.
What If It Fails Again?
If the motion doesn’t pass, more protests are likely, and the summer camogie season could be thrown into chaos. A full-on strike isn’t out of the question.
