Irish women’s rugby fallout: Sporting bodies attempt to ignore elephant in the room

In the most remarkable opening remarks before any Dáil Committee, neither Sport Ireland nor the Federation of Irish Sport mentioned the Irish women’s rugby players

When told that matters around the concerns raised by the players “need(s) to be taken quite serious and it needs (a) stronger response” the Minister of State pointed to Sport Ireland as having responsibility over matters, not once but five times. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Don’t mention the war — well certainly no need to ask Sport Ireland or the Federation of Irish Sport, anyway.

Sure why would you want to speak about the biggest gender issue dominating Irish sports at a hearing “to discuss challenges facing women in sport”?