Clare Camogie and Dublin Camogie have both withdrawn from the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship.
Both organisations have come together in their decision to withdraw from the competition. ‘The Executive of the Clare County Board have taken the decision to withdraw its name from the drawing of lots (Coin Toss) to decide which team Dublin/Clare should progress to the quarter final stages of this year’s Senior All-Ireland Championship’ read a issued statement by Clare Camogie this morning. The news now means the planned drawing of lots/coin toss due to take place in Croke Park by the Camogie Association will not go ahead.
Dublin Camogie released a short statement via their Twitter page which reads ‘Dublin Executive held a meeting last night and have decided to withdraw @CamogieDublin name from the #COINTOSS as has @ClareCamogie’.
A separate statement released this morning by Clare Camogie has outlined why it has made the decision.
It reads in full:
“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Clare Camogie have withdrawn from the drawing of lots.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.
Fixtures and Structures are devised by Committee, ratified and implemented by Ard Chomhairle – Counties do not vote on these. There is no avenue to question this decision making as Ard Chomhairle hold the final say on all matters.
The decision by Ard Chomhairle not to adjudicate on the merit of Appeals lodged, shows the contempt with which the lower units of the Association are held.
The upset and mental anguish that has been forced upon players by the Association, will have deep and long lasting repercussions. Players are inconsolable and feel betrayed.
For an Association to deprive a team the opportunity to advance on merit is incomprehensible and indefensible. How can our most valuable asset, our players, be degraded and mis-treated.
This is a regressive step for the Association and will be of detriment, not only to Clare and Dublin but to Camogie on whole. The Association have passed up an opportunity to address this fiasco with the appeals of both Clare and Dublin. Thus, in choosing not to do so have left it to Clare and Dublin to up-hold the sporting integrity of the Association”.
Since the decision was announced on Tuesday evening that a coin toss would determine whether Clare or Dublin would advance to play Wexford in the All-Ireland quarter-final the news was greeted with shock and negative reaction on social media. #CoinToss was the fourth most popular trending item on Twitter on Tuesday.
Semple Stadium was due to host a double-header with both quarter-finals taking place in Thurles. It will now only host Cork versus Tipperary at 16:00 while Wexford will advance to the semi-finals.
Clare last withdrew from a Camogie Championship in 2002 when the Senior team left the competition midway through the season.
