Camogie President calls for continued progress towards sporting equality
President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn has called for continued progress and renewed efforts towards achieving sports equality in Ireland.
Speaking at the launch of the 2011 All Ireland Camogie Championship at Croke Park this afternoon (Wednesday, June 1st) at which Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring was a special guest, O’Flynn said:
“”Sport is for all. There is a welcome increase in females playing sport particularly Camogie. Just as sport played by men is not for men only, sport played by women is not for women only. An increase in women in decision making roles in sport, positive attitudes, actions towards women’s sport and giving greater prominence and recognition to women’s sporting achievements will all make a difference.
It is vital for future female participation in sport that children get the opportunity to understand that women are major sports achievers and are accomplished sports stars in their own right.
The year’s All Ireland Camogie Championship presents another wonderful opportunity for all sports fans – male and female to see this.
I am urging not just GAA fans, but all sports fans to experience the skill and excitement of top class camogie action and to see our sport stars in action. This year’s championship promises great excitement and skill with games at superb venues around the country and at great value.””
Speaking at the launch Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring:
“”Irish women’s sport has never been stronger and in recent years the achievements of our female sports stars have contributed enormously to the overall success of Irish sport. Sport and recreation play a hugely important role in our lives; never more so than in today’s hectic environment.””
This year’s championship will feature extensively across all RT+ platforms with live updates from selected venues each Saturday on RT+ Radio 1 Saturday Sport, highlights coverage each week on RT+’s The Sunday Game and ongoing coverage on www.rte.ie
The Irish Daily Star Newspaper is also on board as the Association’s partner for a weekly Player of the Match Award.
All Ireland winning Wexford Manager JJ Doyle along with Offaly supremo Joachim Kelly were also in attendance together with players from this year’s senior, intermediate and junior championships.
Among those was Wexford’s captain Ursula Jacob, whose side will be bidding to retain the O’Duffy Cup. The Model County secured the Irish Daily Star Division One title in early April defeating Galway in a repeat pairing of the 2010 All Ireland Final.
Former All Ireland champions Cork, represented by dual star Rena Buckley, have received a massive boost ahead of their championship with the news that taliswoman Orla Cotter, has resumed training, following her recovery from a broken jaw sustained in this year’s Ashbourne Finals.
Following five years as championship sponsors Gala Retail Services ended its sponsorship of the Camogie Championship earlier this year. The Association is currently working towards putting a sponsorship agreement in place for the championship 2012 – 2015.
ENDS
Notes to the editor:
? Photographs from the 2011 All Ireland Camogie Championship launch are available from Sportsfile at www.sportsfile.com
? 2011 All Ireland Senior championship teams:
o Wexford
o Kilkenny
o Offaly
o Dublin
o Clare
o Cork
o Tipperary
o Galway
? Elaine Aylward, (Kilkenny), Ursula Jacob (Wexford), Elaine Dermody (Offaly), Danielle Smith (Dublin), Orla Kilkenny (Galway), Claire McMahon (Clare), Julie Kirwan (Tipperary), Rena Buckley (Cork), Jane Adams (Antrim) Rosie Crowe (Cavan) Nicola Morrissey (Waterford) along with Offaly manager Joachim Kelly, Wexford manager JJ Doyle, Tipperary manager John Lillis and Dublin manager Denis Murphy represented their counties at the Camogie Championship Launch 2011.
? The championship will be played in a round robin format with the top four reaching the semi-finals.
? The first round of the Camogie Championship takes place on Saturday June 11th.
? The senior semi-finals take place as a double header on August 13th. The Premier Junior, Intermediate and Junior A semi-finals take place on August 20th. The Junior B semi-finals take place on August 21st.
? The Senior, Intermediate and Junior finals will take place in Croke Park on September 11th 2011.
? Wexford are the current All Ireland champions defeating Galway in the 2010 All Ireland Final.
? Offaly, captured the Intermediate title in 2010, defeating Wexford and as a result were promoted to the senior championship. This is Offaly’s first time competing at senior level.
? For further details on the camogie championship and fixtures check out the camogie fixtures section on www.camogie.ie and follow championship action on www.camogie.ie and Facebook
*For further information contact Claire Egan, Communications & Marketing Director, the Camogie Association, 01 865 8618, 087 9030755, Claire@camogie.ie
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