Clare and Dublin accept play-off offer to end ‘coin toss’ debacle

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Updated: The Camogie Association have issued a statement offering Dublin and Clare the opportunity to play-off for an All-Ireland quarter-final place.

The statement on their website said: “The Camogie Association have confirmed that it is offering a play-off game to Clare and Dublin to take place on Saturday, August 1st at 2.00pm in Semple Stadium, Thurles.”

It marks a u-turn from their insistence on a coin toss and both Clare and Dublin have accepted the offer of a play-off.

Camogie players pictured at the launch of the 2015 Liberty Insurance Camogie Championship season in Croke Park on Tuesday, June 16th included Dublin’s Elaine O’Meara (third from left) and Clare’s Carol O’Leary (second from right).

A short statement on behalf of the Dublin Camogie Board said the board were ‘delighted’ with the outcome:

“Dublin Camogie have officially replied to The Camogie Association and are delighted to be afforded the opportunity of a playoff with Clare this coming Saturday August 1st at 2pm in Semple Stadium.

“We hope to see as many supporters there as possible.”

Their reply came after the Camogie Association’s initial offer of a Saturday play-off, which means the winner will take the field 48 hours later, on Monday, to play an All-Ireland quarter-final against Wexford:

“The winners of this game will proceed to the quarter-final to play Wexford on Monday, August 3rd with a time and venue to be confirmed,” the Camogie Association’s statement continued.

“The Camogie Association Ard Chomhairle took the decision in order to find a solution to the impasse which arose after both Clare and Dublin Camogie Boards withdrew, after objecting to the pre-determined competition procedures to identify the fourth quarter-finalist in the Liberty Insurance Senior All-Ireland Championship.

“Extra-time will be played in the event of the play-off ending in a draw, while extra-time will also apply in the Senior quarter-final on August 3rd.”

The camogie players of Clare and Dublin had earlier issued a joint statement via the Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA) earlier expressing their disappointment with the Camogie Association’s decision to draw lots for a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

The Camogie boards of both counties decided to from the draw which was to decide who progresses to the quarter-finals of this year’s championship.

Both counties finished level in their group with identical records, and a drawing of lots this morning was to determine who would meet Wexford in the quarter finals. A proposed play-off between Clare and Dublin was initially dismissed by the Camogie Association.

The players said: “We, the players from the Clare and Dublin Senior Camogie Panels would like to take this opportunity to express our extreme disappointment with the decision taken by the Camogie Association to proceed with the drawing of lots to decide which team progresses to play in an All Ireland Quarter Final this coming Saturday (August ).

“With the support and advice of our managers, county boards and the WGPA, we have decided to withdraw from this year’s All Ireland series. Ultimately, we feel hugely disrespected as players and feel like we are in a no win situation.

“This decision has far reaching consequences beyond a game; we players are emotionally drained and devastated about this decision, yet once again, we reiterate that this does not seem to have been considered at national level.”

They had expressed a hope that the issue could be resolved.

“We remain committed to our county and will represent each with pride in games that we have earned the right to play in. Once again, we are devastated to have to withdraw from this year’s championship but feel we are at a stage where we must expect more from those who govern our sport. We do feel we have been scapegoated to some extent but appreciate hugely all of the support we have received publicly and privately.

“Our remaining hope is that the Camogie Association reflects once again on their decision, and considers the impact it has on players, and on the perception of their highest-grade competition.”

The decision to proceed with the drawing of lots had attracted massive criticism from Gaelic games supporters around the country.

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