Drawing lots for All-Ireland camogie QF place: 'Makes a mockery of the competition'

Dublin manager Shane O’Brien feels the players deserve better treatment after all they have given the sport.

By Kevin Murphy and Grainne McGuinness

A statement released by the Camogie Association last night has raised the possibility of the drawing of lots - if Dublin and Clare finish level on points in their group this weekend.

The bizarre scenario will occur if Clare beat Derry in their final group game and a clearly upset Dublin manager Shane O’Brien spoke on RTE’s Morning Ireland this morning.

So @OfficialCamogie have confirmed that @CamogieDublin may be 'TOSSED' out of the Championship if Clare beat Derry RT pic.twitter.com/CEHinlGkWh

— 𝘿𝙪𝙗𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@DubMatchTracker) July 22, 2015

“There was a huge amount of confusion in recent days with the lack of clarity regarding certain procedures,” O’Brien said.

“We’ve met together as a group 93 times (this season) and it’s hugely disrespectful to the efforts the players have made. They’ve given up their lives for this competition and it’s devaluing the competition at this stage.”

“I think there were different interpretations in different parts of the country. Down in Clare they were led to believe it was going to be done on goal difference, and other people felt that it would be done by the toss of a coin.”

O’Brien feels the players deserve better treatment after all they have given the sport.

“Obviously we’re bitterly disappointed for the player’s welfare, for the sacrifices the players have made.

“Camogie a fantastic game and we’ve made a massive effort to boost the image of it in the capital and throughout the country,” he explained.

“We agreed to give up home advantage and agreed to play before the Dublin hurling team in Croke Park and there was a massive response from the hurling supporters.

“And not just from Dublin camogie but the Camogie Association themselves to be fair have really made great efforts in recent years.”

“To be honest, the players are distraught really. They’ve given so much of their time and made so many sacrifices.

O’ Brien cited examples in other sports when sides finish level on points. Both sides met already in the championship and finished level 1-8 apiece.

Camogie Championship progression decided by coin toss... THE MIND BOGGLES!!!! #Camogie

— Lisa Lawlor (@Lisa_Lawlor) July 23, 2015

“There’s an established way of doing things in world sport where you’ve scoring difference and scoring averages.”

Ha gave examples, saying: “In rugby, the Triple Crown has been won on scoring difference, in soccer the Premier League has been won that way. In our own games — football and hurling — the league position can be determined by scoring. Personally I think this is the logical solution.”

And O’Brien felt the decision could have a negative impact on the growth of the game.

“It’s such an injustice that makes a mockery of the competition.

Clare, I’m sure would be of a similar view. To go out on the toss of a coin just doesn’t make sense,” he insisted.

“If you were to decide the outcome of an event in a summer camp it would turn kids sour against whatever sport they were playing. I just hope common sense will prevail. “