There’s an old saying ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.” The Camogie Association has been castigated on social and mainstream media for confirming a rule that could lead to one county between Clare and Dublin going out of the All Ireland Championship on the drawing of lots or the toss of a coin.
It’s a dreadful way to conclude a season of effort, training, travel and skill on the part of the players and will only store up resentment among the county that could go out by calling incorrectly as the coin spins into the air.
It’s easy to criticise though and that’s not what we are about.
Regulations
The regulations for the circumstances that would apply should Clare beat Derry on Sunday have been there throughout this campaign and generally speaking to change a rule mid way would be impossible for the logical reason that somebody would likely be disadvantaged having played to the rules.
There is also a clear explanation for why time has not been built in for a play-off or replay as would normally be the case. This is not a case of a dusty rule book and intransigence on the part of the governing body. To borrow a literary phrase It’s down to a series of unfortunate events.
So if there’s a will on the part of all sides to do this more fairly then surely there’s a way and here it is.
Circumstances
If Clare win on Sunday they will be level with Dublin on all the circumstances used to determine who progresses from the round robin stage.
The quarter finals are scheduled for the following weekend and cannot be moved. The option then is to provisionally schedule a play off to take place on Wednesday evening.
To be fair the venue for that should be determined by the toss of a coin itself but in this case, to take account of Clare’s shortened gap between matches it should be played in Ennis.
Spark
Admission for the game should be free for all children and efforts should be made to ensure that every Camogie playing club in Clare and Dublin should bring players to the game. What better way to spend a summer evening. It could be the spark that lights up the Championship for the sport and for the sponsors Liberty Insurance.
In order to prevent future complaints from the losing county, both county boards should indemnify the Camogie Association against a future claim.
Organising a match between 30 consenting players is more complex than some would suggest but it is easier than others would fear.
Whoever would put an obstacle in the way of what is clearly the right thing should have the right to argue before Saturday but after that the decision would be final.
Change
In 1994 I was responsible for shifting the Welsh Grand National from Chepstow racecourse to Newbury because of snow and frost. Before that there was no facility to change venue on a big race. If it was lost to the weather it was lost.
Common sense dictated this was wrong if an alternative was possible and viable.
21 years on the possible and viable alternative is clear. There is a way, now is there the will on the part of Camogie and the two County Boards? The players and indeed the sport deserves there should be.
Image Credit: Inpho.ie
