Camogie Association targets record-breaking 50,000 All-Ireland final attendance

Last August’s 30,191-strong crowd that watched Cork annihilate Waterford was the first time an All-Ireland camogie final attendance had broken the 25,000 and 30,000 barriers.

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024 - 13:21

Eoghan Cormican

A record-breaking All-Ireland final attendance of 50,000 spectators is among the headline targets from the Camogie Association’s 2024-26 Strategic Plan launched Thursday lunchtime.

Last August’s 30,191-strong crowd that watched Cork annihilate Waterford was the first time an All-Ireland camogie final attendance had broken the 25,000 and 30,000 barriers. It followed on from a record-breaking All-Ireland semi-final double-header where 7,250 came through the turnstiles at UPMC Nowlan Park.

In its new three-year Strategic Plan, the Camogie Association is targeting a 20% increase in attendance at all fixtures, culminating in 50,000 watching the 2026 decider.

The association is also going after a 5% increase in the number of new clubs, and a 10% increase in new members and players.

The strategy is informed by the largest piece of research ever undertaken by the Camogie Association, completed by over 5,000 members.

On the subject of integration, some interviewees expressed concerns that integration would see the game of camogie dissolve into a larger Gaelic games entity at the expense of the qualities which make the game unique.

Other interviewees would like to see integration go further and increase the physicality of the game and align it more fully with hurling, while a hope expressed by many is that integration of the Camogie Association and LGFA will resolve the majority of fixture conflicts.

Shelly, Aoife and Bridget Phelan from Waterford City arriving at Croke Park for the All-Ireland camogie final. Pic: Collins Photos.

The study found there is considerable scope to recruit more volunteers from the ranks of current players, with the current volunteer base dependent “in large part upon older men and women” who give their time to support the participation of young women and girls.

Barriers which prevent individuals from volunteering include the demands of work (82%) and the demands of family (75%).

Commenting on the Strategic Plan, president Hilda Breslin, whose term in office concludes next week, said: “Integration has the potential to establish a stronger, more modern and better Gaelic Athletic Association, based upon the basic and fundamental principle of equality – One Association for All.

"We will embark on a path of progress, merging to become one club, one county, one province, one congress, one Association.”

Added Camogie CEO Sinéad McNulty: “While we work to define what the future of Gaelic games looks like, it is imperative that we focus on the development of our sport – Camogie – and invest at all levels of the sport, to secure Camogie’s future, cement our place as a leading female field sport, and celebrate Camogie's unique place in Irish culture, heritage and history.

“2024 celebrates 120 years of the Camogie Association and our wonderful sport. In an historic year we celebrate the great leaders who have grown and developed Camogie and the Association to where we are today.”