Kilkenny Camogie player Denise Gaule says that playing camogie can come at a cost for intercounty players across the country.
The topic has been discussed for quite a while about the balance between men’s and women’s sports and the support one gets over the other both financially and in general.
The 20×20 initiative was launched a few years back to encourage people to watch women’s sports and give them support, and in turn to encourage girls to get into sport.
Speaking to Scoreline.ie’s The Clash Act Podcast, the recently crowned player of the year said that there are a number of costs for players who wish to pursue an intercounty career.
“Did you see that article about Ali Twomey there from Dublin and when she’s going to the training she’s spending a hundred euro on toll fees alone?” said Denise.
“Obviously she’s only in Dublin but there would be girls traveling down from Dublin to Kilkenny and even to Cork or wherever, it’s a big expense, diesel as well, it’s just something small that you could probably get given back” she added.
When asked what the camogie association and the GAA need to do, Denise said:
“I suppose the ladies’ football is good, it’s nearly always on at the weekend, just because it’s on TG4, no matter if it’s a junior match, there’s always something on the weekend (for people to watch)”.
“The camogie is always just a step behind them in ways, you’d even see the ads on the telly with Lidl and stuff (ladies football), it’s great, obviously, their names are getting out there a bit more, the AFL and that, maybe it just takes Kilkenny to be winning stuff before you get some recognition, but that’s not going to happen in every county,” said Denise.
“Maybe when Wexford (camogie) was going good (sic), they were seen to be gods down there, the women were, maybe because he hurlers weren’t really going as well, so when you’re from a strong hurling county, people are always going to go to hurling matches instead of camogie” she added.
Listen back to the full podcast with Denise below.
