The Camogie Association has announced that it will call a Special Congress on 22 May at Croke Park in a bid to resolve the controversy over players being forced to wear skorts rather than shorts.
A vote will be held on the introduction of a rule to allow players the option to wear skorts or shorts. If passed, it will go into effect almost immediately.
Controversy erupted last weekend when camogie players from Dublin and Kilkenny were forced to change into skorts before their Leinster semi-final in Blanchardstown after turning up in shorts as a protest.
The protest came days after a Gaelic Players Association survey highlighted how 70% of players surveyed experienced discomfort while wearing the skort.
Since that initial protest, Cork and Waterford players have said that they will wear shorts in Saturday's Munster senior camogie final and if they are asked to change to skorts, they will refuse to do so, even if it risks the game being abandoned, while Dublin camogie clubs wore shorts during Tuesday fixtures.
In a statement, the Camogie Association confirmed that there will be a vote held on whether or not to allow players wear shorts on 22 May.
The statement read: "The Special Congress is being called to consider motion(s) to provide all players with the choice to wear skorts or shorts while playing camogie.
"The decision on whether this motion is adopted will rest with the Congress delegates (delegates represent all members of the Association including all of our players).
"The Association had proposed to deal with this issue at next year's Congress but having listened to player feedback, the Association recognises that waiting until 2026 is not acceptable for many. Although similar motions did not pass at the 2024 Congress, the Association is committed to representing the voices of players who wish to have a choice in their playing attire.
"If the motion(s) passes, the new rule(s) - allowing the option to wear skorts or shorts - would take effect from May 24th 2025."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said camogie players "should be allowed to wear shorts."
"I think that's the bottom line," he added.
Speaking in Brussels he said: "It's very basic, and it happens in football. And I hope that this can be resolved."
"I don't look, as a politician, to be become involved in sports organizations and how they manage their affairs."
However, he said he backed camogie players having a choice as to what they wear, adding: "That would be a basic position I'd have."
Dublin captain Aisling Maher was among the Dublin and Kilkenny players forced to change into skorts last Saturday before the Leinster semi-final after referee Ray Kelly informed both groups that the game would be abandoned if they did not change.
Maher described the moment as a "career low" and speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland regarding the update that Special Congress has been brought forward, the St Vincent’s player welcomed the move.
"I really welcome the news that the Camogie Association are recognising how significant this issue is for players, they have realised that postponing the issue until 2026, never mind 2027, is just not soon enough," she said.
"I am very hopeful that delegates will have reevaluated the situation in their own counties, I'm hoping the vote that occurs this year will be more representative of how players feel on the ground."
Maher, who is also co-chair of the GPA, believes the stance set to be taken by Cork and Waterford this weekend in not wearing skorts should still go ahead as planned.
"I would like to think that the Cork and Waterford players, who have made it very clear that they want to play their Munster final in shorts, that they will be there to put in a great display and that they are allowed to continue to play this game in what feels comfortable for them.
"It would be a backward step to expect players in the interim of getting this across the line to wear skorts."
In its statement today, the Camogie Association said the working group, "established to examine the comfort, fit, design and overall performance of playing wear" will remain in place.
Maher is hopeful that delegates will have greater consultation with players this time around.
"It will largely be the same cohort of people that will be voting again. It’s very apparent from the reaction of players, especially over the last year, that vote that took place in 2024 was not representative of how players feel on the ground," she said.
"I would hope that each delegate will go back to players within their own county, whether that is surveying inter-county teams or clubs, to ensure that the vote they bring to this Congress is representative of how their players feel. This issue is not resolved until that vote gets over the line and the motion gets through."
Commenting on the updated position Uachtarán Brian Molloy said: "Our goal is to deliver, as quickly as possible, a best-in-class playing uniform designed for female players and allowing for individual choice."
