Comment: Camogie must help itself - but time for crowds to back our female athletes

The Centra-backed National Camogie leagues throw in today - supporters must vote with their feet. 

Dublin's Aisling Maher, Galway's Niamh Mallon, Cork's Laura Hayes, Armagh's Rachael Trainor and Laois's Clodagh Tynan pictured in Galway at the official launch of the 2026 Centra Camogie Leagues Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

What will it take to get the turnstiles clicking?

With the Centra National Camogie leagues getting underway today, the whole debate about supporting women in sport springs to mind.

In a week that the GAA reports bumper gate receipts for 2025, where are the fans when it comes to cheering on our female athletes?

Take SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Saturday night when the Cork/Tipperary hurling league tie attracted over 30,000 fans. Currently, the Camogie Association would do well to have that figure for three All-Ireland finals over the course of a six-hour day.

The camogie product speaks for itself. Teams play to the highest level. So, why is it that mainly family and friends only turn up?

No heavy marketing was required to see how good last year’s All-Ireland senior final between Cork and Galway was, or the quality on view in the recent senior club final and replay involving Athenry and St Finbarr’s. Those matches were televised live. That is a huge plus.

Unfortunately, real-time broadcasts are not always possible. Therefore, camogie must start by helping itself.

Pointing the finger means there are three more pointing back at you. The effort to improve visibility and garner interest has to come from within.

Don’t get me wrong, the dedication of volunteers is second to none. Tireless work is going on all over the country. But, small things, like social media, which is a ready-made tool and part of daily life, could be used consistently and accurately to communicate.

If every county posted their (actual) team, 24 hours before throw-in, the free material would generate debate. The GAA do it, and the number of hits is reflected in its popularity.

Pen Pictures and behind-the-scenes stories are always welcome, and the material is gratefully received by media outlets. It might seem basic, but accurate details of fixtures, score updates and results is another means of exposure.

Regular posts build awareness and lead to a bigger audience and a curiosity. It is an initiative that must be seized. Just like in the provinces, where hurling and camogie double-headers are staged in the championship. This promotion continues into the All-Ireland series. Last summer the All-Ireland camogie quarter-finals went ahead before the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals in Croke Park.

At a time when the GAA, Camogie Association and Ladies Gaelic Football Association are working on becoming fully integrated, it is the way forward. Maybe the same route could be taken in the league, whereby counties could double up. Playing in main stadiums boosts recognition and avoids situations where families are split between brothers and sisters lining out at different venues.

Brian Barry is Communications Manager at the Camogie Association and he and his team are actively creating awareness, which is all geared towards raising the profile of the games. They’ve hosted webinars in recent weeks to equip counties to do likewise.

Let’s hope their work is reflected in increased numbers in what is a massive weekend of action. And that it continues into the weeks and months ahead.

Thankfully we have moved on from the skort issue and the many stories that made headlines nine months ago. Will we see any of that personnel in Azzurri Walsh Park today when Waterford take on Cork in round 1 of the Division 1A league?

The Munster senior final between these two sides fell by the wayside last May over the controversy, and the media application for that proposed fixture was such that The Ragg would have had reporters and cameras covering every angle in the Tipperary ground.

On a more positive note, 2026 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the leagues, and it coincides with Centra coming on board in a new four-year partnership with the Camogie Association.

When perusing material from last Monday’s launch, these words from Marketing Director at Musgrave Rita Kirwan stood out from the rest.

“We’ve been proudly linked to hurling for years, but one important piece was missing – a strong, visible connection to the women’s game. The standard of camogie is truly elite, with speed, skill and intensity on display at every level.

“This sponsorship reflects our commitment to increasing visibility for camogie, growing attendances at games, and helping to inspire greater participation among young girls, ensuring a strong future for the sport.” 

Which leads us nicely into Women in Sport week. It is fast approaching, and takes place between Monday March 2 and Sunday March 8, with International Women’s Day on March 8.

Wouldn’t it be a fitting time for those turnstiles to start clicking.