The Kilkenny minor camogie team arrived to Fr. McNamara Park in Co. Clare on Saturday to find that the pitch was “unplayable”.
Minor Manager Mick Wall told Camán Caint podcast on Monday about what they found when they arrived in Burrow.
“It wasn’t ideal, there were a lot of big puddles around the middle of the field”.
The referee was concerned about the conditions around the goalmouth and deemed the venue unsuitable.
Last-Minute Change
Clare County board got working on organizing an alternative venue to host the Championship game.
“To be fair to the Clare Co. Board, I couldn’t say enough good things about them. They tried everything in their power and they actually did come up with an alternative venue about 8 miles away in a place called Kilmaley.”
It begs the question, why a pitch inspection was not carried out in advance of Kilkenny undertaking a long journey to Burrow in Co. Clare.
The last-minute change of venue caused a half-hour delay to the fixture that was due to throw-in at 2pm.
Lack of Respect
It demonstrates a complete lack of respect for these athletes who have dedicated much of their lives to camogie.
Newly appointed Carlow Camogie Manager, Mark Ayres feels that camogie teams should be held in the same regard as men’s teams.
“It’s very unfair to players across the country, who put in just as much work as the hurlers do or the footballers do.”
He worries that the venues may start seeping into the player’s self-esteem.
“Who wants to go out and play on a pitch that has long grass and has holes in it, has no stands, has no protection for weather.”
The Next Generation
He also believes it is damaging for the promotion of camogie for the next generation.
“Every time you step on the pitch, you have to think about what’s coming behind you”.
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