Saturday's Leinster camogie finals are to go ahead as planned, with the players from the four teams involved intending to wear shorts in protest against the ongoing skorts controversy, but also willing to change into skorts if directed to do so by the referee.
A statement issued today by the Gaelic Players Association on behalf of the panels of senior finalists Kilkenny and Wexford, and intermediate finalists Laois and Carlow, said: "Today, we come together, united, to make an almost impossible choice because camogie authorities refuse to do so.
"We will be togged out in shorts at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday and we want our choice to be respected.
"However, if the current outdated rule is enforced, we will change into skorts, solely to ensure the games are not abandoned. We will play the games under protest.
"As part of this protest, we do not consent to any photography or video to be taken of the matches themselves, should we be forced to wear skorts.
"We call on the Leinster Council to ensure this is enforced and we ask both the media and supporters to respect our position.
"We have made this decision based on the belief and trust that players will be listened to and heard. We expect camogie delegates will vote for choice at Special Congress on 22 May and that no further protest will be necessary.
"We stand steadfastly with our fellow players in demanding that choice."
Last weekend's Munster final was deferred with less than 24 hours' notice due to Cork and Waterford's determination to wear shorts - risking the cancellation of the fixture.
In an attempt to resolve the controversy, the Camogie Association has called the special congress, where a motion on the rule forcing players to wear skorts (shorts with a panel of fabric to give them the appearance of a skirt) will be put to a vote.
It was an attempt to wear shorts by the Kilkenny and Dublin teams before the Leinster semi-final on 3 May that sparked the current controversy.
Offaly's Mairéad Teehan told RTÉ Sport that they had intended to join the protest until they learned Wexford were going to wear the regulation skorts for their semi-final encounter.
The Cork and Waterford panels expressed their disappointment and anger with the decision to postpone their game, which was widely criticised by former players such as Ursula Jacob.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, the four-time All-Ireland winner described the late call as a "real kick in the teeth".
"I can see why the players feel let down by the association. I can sense the frustration from these girls," said the four-time All-Ireland winner.
"Sixteen hours notice? Why were they only given that amount of notice? When is it going to be refixed for?"
The former Wexford forward referenced the Leinster minor final on Saturday afternoon, where both Dublin and Offaly wore shorts before a lengthy consultation with officials, which saw them change into skorts.
"Players don't want to be in the spotlight for these reasons. They want to focus on the games. This week has been a little bit of a circus," Jacob said. "It's not good enough."
"I think it's a real kick in the teeth for the players."
