There has been widespread disappointment at the inability to host a Camogie and hurling double-header in Clare this weekend for the senior hurlers and camogie sides games against Cork and Meath respectively.
The decision proved particularly controversial online, with many aiming their criticism at Clare GAA.
Clare GAA still has time to back down and 'allow' the Clare camogie team to play their league game v Meath in Cusack Park on Sunday. They use hurleys, not shovels. As of now, they have no venue. Are they not a full part of the Clare GAA 'family'? #respectandequality
— Peter O'Connell (@Westclarepage) February 15, 2018
Sunday sees Clare Hurlers play Cork and @ClareCamogie play Meath, both home games with All Stars aplenty on both Clare panels, no lack in quality. Yet @GaaClare aren’t entertaining the thought of a double header.
🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️#Poor— Lauren Nic Giolla Phóil (@LaurenGuilfoyle) February 15, 2018
Weather is cited as the reason Clare GAA cannot accommodate Clare’s Camogie side with a double header in Cusack Park on Sunday. #GAA
— Derrick Lynch (@DLynchSport) February 15, 2018
@GaaClare - Clare hurlers and @ClareCamogie both have home fixtures this weekend- yet once again - no double header?!?! Where is the sense? Why must the girls always be begging for pitches?! And what's more let's put them on at the same time 🙈
— Carol Toomey (@caroltoom82) February 15, 2018
Shortsighted and needless- the @ClareCamogie team deserve better than this, as do all the Clare supporters who will be bringing sons and daughters to Cusack Park. https://t.co/LRWF8ZsPnW
— Deirdre Murphy (@redsmurf11) February 15, 2018
However when contacted by Balls.ie, Clare Camogie Chairperson Joe Robbins was in total agreement with the decision. He clarified that a request for a double-header was approved in January but weather permitting.
Since then, the weather has deteriorated forcing the local golf club to close and extensive work has been carried out on the pitch. Robbins explained Clare Camogie is one of the few counties with its own full facilities and those doubleheaders are already being planned for the summer.
Robbins is very sympathetic to player's disappointment who had made plans for family to attend the game but as for the widespread online complaints, Robbins is downright dismissive.
There is so many people jumping on the bandwagon now about not having a double-header. If half those people on social media getting involved in discussions came along to support Clare Camogie we'd be in a much better place.
For the past number of years, Robbins has been an advocate on a national level for an eventual merger of GAA, LGFA & Camogie and believes now more than ever that conversation is necessary.
The Clare county board also confirmed to Balls.ie the decision was made due to weather conditions. They explained a recent weekend where two games were held on the field on successive days resulted in extensive work being required. Weather conditions have only gotten worse since then ensuring two games in one day are unfeasible.
The county board did clarify they were eager to organise double-headers in future whenever possible.
Instead, Clare will take on Meath at Ogonnelloe GAA this Sunday, with throw-in at 2pm.
