Clare Camogie: Coin toss shows ‘utter contempt and disdain for every player’
Clare Camogie PRO Bríd McNamara has slammed the Camogie association for their insistence on a drawing of lots to decide the championship fate of Clare and Dublin.
The Camogie boards of both counties have decided to withdraw their names from the draw which was to decide who progresses to the quarter-finals of this year's championship.
Both counties finished level in their group with identical records, and a drawing of lots this morning was to determine who would meet Wexford in the quarter finals. A proposed play-off between Clare and Dublin was dismissed by the Camogie Association, and they have yet to comment on the counties' withdrawals.
Dublin Executive held a meeting last night and have decided to withdraw @CamogieDublin name from the #COINTOSS as have @ClareCamogie
— Dublin Camogie (@CamogieDublin) July 29, 2015
Statement from @ClareCamogie on decision to withdraw from drawing of lots. @CamogieDublin https://t.co/fHXD4m9Pet
— OfficialClareCamogie (@ClareCamogie) July 29, 2015
The Clare board say the Camogie Association's stance is a regressive step. In a statement released this morning they said: “The Camogie Association has demonstrated their utter contempt and disdain for every player and member of the Association.
“How can a governing sporting body justify by any logic the Drawing of Lots (coin toss) to determine progression in Championship?
“Clare Camogie have withdrawn from the drawing of lots. A decision that was not taken lightly and may have serious repercussions for the future of these players.
“Clare Camogie demands more respect for its players and administrators than what is being levelled at them by the Camogie Association officials.”
It's a landmark day not only for women's sport but sport in general. Clare & Dublin have set a huge precedent in standing up to stupidity
— Derrick Lynch (@DLynchSport) July 29, 2015
“Both Dublin and ourselves (Clare) were in line to be drawn for lots this morning to see who would progress to the quarter-final,” McNamara told Newstalk this morning. “We would prefer to withdraw our names from that.
“Both parties would prefer to go through to a quarter-final on merit of their performance in the championship as opposed to a drawing of lots or toss of a coin.”
McNamara continued: “It was a difficult statement for us to draft. We are all involved in camogie for long number of years.
“It was extremely difficult to face our players last night.
“I’m the PRO and there are no words in my vocabulary to convey the hurt, the disappointment and the absolute feeling of betrayal there was in that room last night.
“It felt like a death in that room.”
The two counties had been due to find out their fate via YouTube this morning. The Irish Examiner reported that neither county were invited to attend the draw at Croke Park.
Instead, Munster chairman James Moynihan, Leinster chair Rachel Hogan and Ard Comhairle secretary Marie Kearney were due to present for the drawing of lots at Croke Park. The draw was to have been recorded and then uploaded to the Camogie Association’s YouTube account.
There are unconfirmed reports that other counties may withdraw from the championship in solidarity with Clare and Dublin.
Hearing other squads are now also considering withdrawing from the camogie championship in support of Clare & Dublin. #camogie
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) July 29, 2015
RTE reporting speculation that Cork and Tipp will also join Clare and Dublin in Championship boycott. @OfficialCamogie
— Sinéad O'Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) July 29, 2015
A statement is expected from the Camogie Association later today.
