The future of this season's All-Ireland senior camogie championship is in question after Dublin and Clare both pulled out of today’s drawing of lots for a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Both sides finished their group games with equal points, while they played out a 1-08 to 1-08 draw earlier in the campaign, however, points’ difference or a play-off were not a consideration to decide the rankings and instead the drawing of lots was due to decide who would progress.
The executives of the Dublin and Clare camogie board held a conference call last night, at which it was decided that both counties would withdraw their names from the drawing of lots, which was scheduled to take place at 9:30 this morning.
Both counties had lodged appeals, but in a lengthy statement yesterday the Camogie Association ruled that those appeals could not be heard as any decision taken by the the association's Ard Comhlaire cannot be appealed.
It said that under ‘’pre-determined procedures’’ lots would be drawn this morning to decide who’ll play Wexford in Saturday’s quarter-final in Thurles.
A harshly worded statement from the Executive of the Clare County Board was scathing in its criticism of the Camogie Association.
"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?," it read.
"Clare Camogie demands more respect for its players and administrators than what is being levelled at them by the Camogie Association officials.
"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."
"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," the statement concluded.
It’s unclear how the Camogie Assocation will respond to this latest development.
Dublin Executive held a meeting last night and have decided to withdraw @CamogieDublin name from the #COINTOSS as have @ClareCamogie
— Dublin Camogie (@CamogieDublin) July 29, 2015
