Cork, Limerick and Down all claimed All Ireland title in Camogie at Croke Park yesterday in a triple header of Championship deciders that displayed skill, courage and effort that was a fine advertisement for the sport.
They did so though in front of an audience that was smaller than it should have been and which poses a number of challenges to those advocating greater esteem for women in sport.
While the stadium will now fill three times this September for two All Ireland finals in hurling and football, and at least one replay, yesterday’s attendance was closer to 15,000 than the 82,000 capacity.
In a sport which numbers over 100,000 registered players across the country that can only be seen as disappointing. The larger crowds of recent years have been down to a stronger supporter base for Wexford, who won three titles in a row between 2010 and 2012, but this should be an opportunity to show the players of tomorrow what they can aspire to.
Tickets for children aged under 16 only cost €5 yesterday and there was a high proportion of high pitched shouts of support for the players. There just weren’t enough. One senior GAA official summed it up as the stadium began to empty saying that the players really did deserve better support from within those who play week in week out.
Opportunity
The opportunity to see sport at the highest level is what inspires young people to pick up a ball and kick, puck or throw in their back gardens and parks throughout the rest of the year. It’s a chance to open eyes to what can be achieved by continuing to go to training on cold nights in November.
The players yesterday will have focused more on the screams and shouts of encouragement rather than the empty seats and there is no doubt that the atmosphere generated was lively and one that will live in their memory.
The problem is that it was not enjoyed by as many as it could and should have been. Kilkenny fans can perhaps be forgiven facing two more trips to the Capital on either side in support of teams wearing the black and amber. Cork though came up short in both the men’s codes and might be asked why more did not travel in support of a team that has delivered a first All Ireland trophy of the year to Leeside.
The fans and families will have a chance to make amends in two weeks time when the all conquering women footballers take on Dublin bidding to stretch the most successful run of any current gaelic games team at national level. The capital’s return to that final for the first time since 2010 will generate a bigger crowd as well but it never happens by accident.
Effort
The Camogie Association put huge and smart effort into promoting the game this year. The ‘Our game Your game’ campaign generated substantial social media coverage.
RTE’s coverage of the finals live yesterday afternoon and in an extended highlights programme last night was backed up by coverage in all the mainstream media which while not at the level of the Hurling final was still substantial.
Liberty Insurance as a sponsor have been magnificent for the sport. It has raised the level of recognition to one of equal prominence with the Hurling Championship in terms of advertising and promotional materials.
Friday morning’s Business network breakfast at Croke Park generated heated support for the good things that are happening within Women’s sport across a multitude of codes and sports. Yesterday though it felt there was a break in the connection between what people say should happen and what actually does.
Anniversary
There were 1,100 U14 players that came out on the pitch at half time yesterday to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Association. There are over 50 clubs playing senior Camogie in Dublin alone and many times that number of teams lining out across juvenile age groups every weekend.
The players on those teams could and should have been at Croke Park yesterday to see what their game can deliver for them in terms of the skill and enjoyment witnessed and enjoyed by playing at the highest level.
How many instead were at home oblivious to the chance, perhaps while Fathers watched Manchester United on the TV, while their families would have given anything to go to see an All Ireland Final in a sport played by brothers or sons?
There is a surge of interest and involvement in women’s sport at every level. It is being felt through sponsorship, through media coverage and through playing numbers. It needs to follow through though in terms of those who play supporting those who play.
Inspired
Anna Geary, Aisling Thomspon, Aoife Sheehan and all the players who lined out at Croke Park yesterday deserved a bigger audience for what they achieved. If you don’t see the magic, you can’t be inspired by the magic. Nobody can be forced to come out but anyone whose kids play week in, week out might ask whether they should have pulled back the curtain for their daughters yesterday on what they can achieve in sport.
At least they have an opportunity to support Cork again in two weeks time, and Dublin which should attract a bigger crowd as well, when the sides line out for the All Ireland Ladies Football Final.
There is no obligation to support a team, but neither is there an obligation to play. It’s all about choice and making a positive one for Women’s sport involves more than saying the right things.
Image Credit: Inpho.ie
