Camogie's struggle to establish itself has never truly been won

Paul Rouse has more than a few issues with the place of women’s sports in the heart of Irish society.

Last weekend Kilkenny won the National Camogie League. Against the clamour of a weekend of rugby and hurling and soccer, this victory went largely unremarked. It is a reminder of the enduring struggle of camogie to carve out a significant place for itself in the sporting life of the island – even within the GAA itself.

When the GAA was founded, it was pledged the new Association would be open to men of every class. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Association, Maurice Davin made particular reference to men from poorer backgrounds, whom, he told the meeting, seemed to be condemned to a life which was little more than an endless round of labour.