Cork v Waterford: Munster camogie final overshadowed by skorts and shorts debate

The only talking point ahead of the Munster Senior Camogie final all week has been the skort v shorts debate. 

The game is due to take place at The Ragg, Tipperary, throw-in 1pm, but it is still unclear if the game will go ahead or not.

The skort v shorts stance by players came to light and blew up after the Kilkenny v Dublin Leinster semi-final. Kilkenny and Dublin took to the pitch wearing shorts and were informed by the referee that the game would be abandoned unless they changed into skorts.

Following on from this attention quickly switched to the Cork v Waterford game and would the two sides make a similar stance.

Cork made their position very clear early in the week, they would be taking to the pitch wearing shorts and would not be changing into skorts.

That effectively meant, at that stage, they were going to relinquish their Munster title to Waterford.

But by Wednesday evening Waterford made their position clear they were going to Cork in wearing shorts.

Waterford forward Niamh Rockett, speaking to Off the Ball confirmed that: "We will be standing with Cork. We're willing to give up the chance of silverware."

Since then the Camogie Association has announced that it will hold a special congress to discuss and vote on the issue of wearing skorts.

If the motion is successful, players will have the choice to wear either shorts or skorts from May 24.

“The Camogie Association has announced that it will call a Special Congress on May 22 at Croke Park,” stated the association. “The Special Congress is being called to consider motion(s) to provide all players with the choice to wear skorts or shorts while playing camogie.

“The decision on whether this motion is adopted will rest with the congress delegates (delegates represent all of the association including all of our players).

The association had proposed to deal with this issue at next year’s congress but having listened to player , the association recognises that waiting until 2026 is not acceptable for many.

“Although similar motions did not at the 2024 congress, the association is committed to representing the voices of players who wish to have a choice in their playing attire. If the motion(s) es, the new rule(s) - allowing the option to wear skorts or shorts - would take effect from May 24, 2025.

“A working group, established to examine the comfort, fit, design, and overall performance of playing wear, will remain in place and continue to engage with players at all levels across the country.” 

Commenting on the updated position president of the Camogie Association Brian Molloy said: “Our goal is to deliver, as quickly as possible, a best-in-class playing uniform designed for female players and allowing for individual choice.” 

With this announcement from the Camogie Association, the two sides will now consider the matter and may stand down their protest but that is not known at the moment.

FAVOURITES

Should the game go ahead Cork will be favourites to retain their title and will to the likes of Libby Coppinger, Meabh Cahalane, and Laura Treacy to anchor their defence.

Ashling Thompson has been outstanding all season at midfield for the Rebels and up front, Waterford will have to try and stop the likes of Sorcha McCartan, Amy O’Connor, Orlaith Cahalane and Saoirse McCarthy.

For now, we have to wait and see if the game goes ahead and if the players decide to stand down their stance in light of the announcement from the Camogie Association yesterday.