There was worrying news for all involved in the intercounty minor camogie scene recently as speculation about this season’s championship has raised its head.
Rumours have been circulating that the championship will not go ahead this year due to a lack of space in the camogie calendar.
New Kilkenny minor manager Mike Wall told KCLR’s Saturday Scoreline that he has spoken to Kilkenny Camogie chairperson Sheila Norris about the rumours.
“I don’t know any more than what was on social media last night. I spoke to Sheila Norris about it, and she reassured me that it was all speculation.
“It is worrying that they haven’t come out and said that they’re going to proceed with it, but we’ll have to wait and see,” said Wall.
Wall explained that the Camogie Association’s decision to proceed with the intercounty league campaign before switching back to club action and then the intercounty championship may have led to scheduling difficulties for the association.
He said: “There may not be room for the minor championship because they are going with county, club and county again, so the calendar may be frustrating for some players.”
Wall, who is currently enjoying his second spell in charge of the minor side, believes that the lack of a minor championship will be detrimental to smaller counties than traditionally bigger counties.
“Most counties wouldn’t have the player volume of Kilkenny to play a county league without the clubs having their county players playing with them.
“It hurts the second tier of counties more so than the bigger counties such as Kilkenny.”
Wall gave a passionate plea to the Camogie Association to protect the minor championship so that the sport can thrive in the years to come.
“I would urge the hierarchy of the Camogie Association to look after the minor championship and the development of the players because without them there will be no senior sides.
“It’s ok here in Kilkenny where we have a strong club championship, but if you go to a county such as Kildare, they have no club side and they don’t get to play without the county.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that these counties need to be helped otherwise the sport won’t grow.”
Wall urged the Camogie Association to improve their communication with counties so that there is clarity for all teams involved in their competitions.
“All any county or county management team want to know is if the competition is going ahead. We don’t even want a date or anything.
“We just want to be in a position to put plans in place for the girls so that they are ready to go. I think a lack of commitment from the Camogie Association is very unfair on the players.”
Listen to the full interview below:
