Derry camogs in skorts protest at Ulster Final

The camogie controversy that has made headlines over the past week continued on Sunday as Derry players were told to change from shorts into skorts before their Ulster Senior Final defeat by Antrim.

Last weekend, the Dublin and Kilkenny teams in the Leinster senior semi-final were forced to change into the skorts required under camogie rules after taking to the field in shorts.

The ongoing row led to Munster Camogie postponing Saturday’s scheduled provincial final after the Cork and Waterford players confirmed their intention to wear shorts in the game in protest at the sport’s rule.

Cork and Waterford’s players responded by saying that they felt “completely let down” by the decision.

The sport’s governing body, the Camogie Association, has called a Special Congress for 22 May to vote on the issue, which if passed would give players the option to wear shorts from 24 May.

Derry initially took to the field in Dunloy on Sunday with half their team wearing shorts and half playing in the regulation skorts.

However at the coin-toss, match referee Philip McDonald reminded joint-captain Rachel McAllister of the current dress-code rule and the Derry players returned to the dressing-rooms before coming back onto the field with all of them wearing skorts.

Prior to the game, the Derry squad said they had taken the decision that half their players would wear shorts to “stand in solidarity with fellow players who wish to have the right to choose whatever uniform they wish to wear while playing our beloved sport”.

“We understand that officials must stick to the current outdated rules of the game and ask that all officials are respected regardless of the outcome of our protest,” said the Derry statement.

“We hope that our protest clearly demonstrates to the Congress the need for change.”

The Oak Leafers were defeated 2-17 to 1-11 by Antrim, who opted to wear the regulation skorts as they retained the Ulster title.

A Nicole McAtamney goal helped Antrim to an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead but Derry fought back to level at 1-6 to 0-9 by half-time with Orlaith Hull hitting six of the Oak Leafers’ first-half points, including two from play.

Roisin McCormick’s free-taking accuracy moved the Saffrons four ahead in the third quarter only for a Aimee Lennon goal to cut the margin to 1-11 to 1-10 in the 47th minute.

However, Antrim outscored Derry 1-6 to 0-1 in the closing 15 minutes of action with Orlaith McAllister hitting their second goal in added time.