Cork camogie players eye legal options in regrading row over typed applications

Cork camogie players affected by the regrading controversy are exploring various legal avenues in a bid to overturn the decision of the Camogie Association.

Nine Cork players — Sarah Fahy, Niamh Ní Chaoimh, Amy Lee, Katelyn Hickey, Leah Weste, Sarah Buckley, Finola Neville, Lauren Callinan, and Rebecca Walsh — who won All-Ireland senior medals last September, but did not feature from the bench in the 2015 championship, were informed this month that their request to regrade to intermediate had been rejected on the grounds that they typed their name on the relevant application form instead of signing with a pen.

Negotiations between the Cork board and Camogie Association chiefs continued over the weekend, the latter’s firm stance on their initial decision prompting the players to look at the legal options open to them.

Members of the WGPA executive spoke with both parties involved in the dispute in recent days and are working closely with the players to find a resolution.

The players are understood to be centring their attention on rule 30.2, which deals with the regrading process, and the fact there is no mention within the rule of having to sign the re-grading application form with a pen.

Moreover, when bringing their case before top-brass, the players will cite precedent, given these same players were successfully regraded to the intermediate ranks 12 months ago despite typing their names on the form.

Cork’s second team conceded their opening game of the Division 2 National League to Antrim over the weekend and it is extremely likely that they will also concede their second game at home to Meath on Sunday.