We back our Kilkenny Cats on skorts dispute - let them wear shorts!

The problem with common sense is that it’s not that common — so goes the old saying usually attributed to Voltaire.

The witty French philosopher’s words of wisdom could be applied to the situation persisting in Irish women’s sport at present, where common sense seems to be lacking. Our camogie players are entitled to feel aggrieved given what’s going on — and they deserve our support.

At the weekend, in a co-ordinated protest, players from Dublin and Kilkenny arrived at the Leinster semi-final in shorts, instead of skorts (deemed mandatory uniform). The teams were duly informed that if they didn’t change into the skorts, the match would have to be postponed. Rather than abandon the fixture, the players returned wearing skorts. Is there any need for this?

For some players, perhaps skorts are a staple of sportswear, offering a sense of style and freedom. But other players say they find them restrictive and impractical. Kilkenny captain Katie Power says she feels like players aren't being listened to.

Katie Power at Nowlan Park this week, where Glanbia joined the team to officially launch their new training jerseys

Athletes want to feel agile and confident. Clothing plays a part in that. Forcing women to conform to a specific look — especially if players feel it prioritises appearance over function — undermines this. The idea that an athlete’s outfit should be dictated by anything other than performance and personal comfort is strange. Who are the skorts for?

The Camogie Association points out that the issue was voted on at their most recent Congress, and members decided to uphold the status quo. But it’s the players themselves who should get the final say.

To be clear, this is not about banning skorts. If a player likes them, no problem. But the same respect should be afforded to those who prefer shorts. Sport is about performance, not fashion.

The backlash from teams is a call for common sense. We should back our players in this regard. As TD Alan Kelly rightly points out, if one young girl leaves the sport because of the skort issues, that’s one too many.
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