Camogie players given green light to wear shorts after Congress vote

A motion at the Camogie Association's Special Congress at Croke Park providing players with the option of shorts or skorts passed with overwhelming support, 98% in favour, and is effective immediately

SKORTING THE ISSUE: Skorts, like the one worn by an Antrim player above, are no longer mandatory after the overwhelming vote. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Camogie Association president Brian Molloy has spoken about the strong support for skorts after Thursday evening’s Special Congress voted in favour to allow players wearing either them or shorts.

Effectively from midnight, a motion allowing the choice of attire was backed by 98% of the 133 delegates who attended the extraordinary meeting that lasted just over 20 minutes in Croke Park.

Camogie Association president Brian Molloy reveals the news that shorts can be worn. #GAA pic.twitter.com/pPtcL5vDnB

— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) May 22, 2025

Following the gathering which was held in camera, Molloy announced a statement to the media in attendance: “We are pleased to announce that delegates have voted by an overwhelming majority in favour of giving players greater choice in their playing attire,” he opened.

Molloy continued: “I want to sincerely thank our incredible volunteers for their ongoing support over the last few weeks, and to our delegates for voting on behalf of over 120,000 members, including 94,000 playing members.

“As the All-Ireland Championships begin this weekend, we ask everyone to support their teams, drive higher attendances at all upcoming games, and help us fill Croke Park for the finals on August 10.” 

Taking questions afterwards, Molloy underlined the appeal of skorts to players. 

WRITING ON THE WALL: Camogie Association president Brian Molloy during a media conference after a Camogie Association Special Congress at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

“I said it in the note that I issued out to the chairs two weeks ago I think at this stage, which was that we're not getting rid of skorts," he said.

“Tens of thousands of girls around the country enjoy playing camogie in skorts and tens of thousands of girls around the country would prefer to wear shorts and that's what we've now enabled.” 

Asked if the vote was a victory for common sense, Molloy replied: “From my perspective, it's a fantastic victory for choice, it's a fantastic victory for the players and it's a fantastic opportunity for us to attract more players who maybe don't like playing in skorts and I've always recognised that.

“I personally have two daughters who play and they would be advocates of skorts. Obviously, the high profile messages were about girls who wanted to play in shorts but I got loads of messages from people who prefer to play in the skort and I think it's a victory for the Camogie Association really and I think it's a brilliant result.” 

After recent protests in favour of shorts at provincial games, an emboldened Gaelic Players Association were quick to react to the decision. The official inter-county players body issued a press release shortly after the meeting had concluded. “We welcome the result of this evening’s vote for choice at the Camogie Association Special Congress.

“The GPA would like to put on the record our admiration for camogie players across Ireland and beyond, both at inter-county and club level, who made their voices heard to ensure this outcome.

“To our own membership who have led the campaign for choice, we salute your willingness to stand up for both yourselves, and future generations of camogie players. We thank the delegates who listened to players’ call for choice. The last few weeks have once again shown the necessity of putting players at the heart of decision making within Gaelic games.” 

Molloy commended his organisation for turning out the vote so quickly. 

“I think the message that goes out to players is we will react, we will engage, we will work," he added. "If you talk to us we will work with you but we will do it within our rules. We can only do it within our rules.

“We cannot set aside rules just because people want us to. We can only operate within our rules. I think to be fair to us as an association, I'd like to see other associations that could point to turning around a rule change as quick as we have done here. That would be the message.

“If there are issues, we'd always listen and that's what has been happening over the last two weeks. All of those delegates have been engaging and talking to their members, which are predominantly players."