If Clare beat Derry this weekend in Camogie Association Liberty Insurance All Ireland Championship, then they were draw level on points with Dublin in their group, causing a problem as to who will secure the last place in the All Ireland quarter-finals.
Their head-to-head is level, given that they drew 1-8 apiece when they faced each other, so there needs to be another way of separating the two teams. Perhaps they could take overall score difference into account? Or maybe they organise a play-off between the sides?
No no, the Camogie Association have a different idea. This press release was issued last night:
Draw lots (this will arise in the event that Clare beat Derry). This draw will take place after the match ends with the team drawn, proceeding to the quarter-finals.
I shit you not. It's about one step up from deciding who goes through based on alphabetical order.
Needless to say, this plan has not been well received.
Looks like @OfficialCamogie will run away with the 'very, very silly administrators of the year award' with this tossing nonsense #comedians
— Peter O'Connell (@Westclarepage) July 22, 2015
Camogie Association often give out about lack of coverage and non promotion of games.They go on to decide a teams season by tossing a coin.
— Liam Aherne (@laherne95) July 22, 2015
Tonight is a new low for @OfficialCamogie. A coin toss to decide 1/4 finalists of the All Ireland Championship. Ridiculous.
— Derrick Lynch (@lynch_derrick) July 22, 2015
The Camogie association deserve every bit of bad publicity they have brought on themselves with this latest farce!! #CoinToss
— Lisa Lawlor (@Lisa_Lawlor) July 23, 2015
@OfficialCamogie have being making many positive steps, then make a decision like this sets us right back! Toss of a coin over champo #joke
— Niamh Bambrick (@nbambie1) July 23, 2015
For the second time this month, I'm tweeting about @OfficialCamogie making decisions that harm our own sport. So disappointing.
— Sinead O'Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) July 23, 2015
Dublin manager tells @morningireland that @OfficialCamogie are being "hugely disrespectful" to players.
— Sinead O'Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) July 23, 2015
Dublin manager reiterates earlier point about summer camps and kids, says a coin toss would sour their image of sport @OfficialCamogie
— Sinead O'Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) July 23, 2015
"Making a mockery of the competition" - and nobody from @OfficialCamogie on to explain decision. /rant
— Sinead O'Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) July 23, 2015
Disgraceful from the @OfficialCamogie how can you justify a coin toss 2 determine a season? Promote the game not degrade it! #playoff
— SarahAnne Fitzgerald (@fitzsaf) July 22, 2015
Has anyone explained why points difference isn't used to separate teams in camogie C'ship? Rules are weird even before coin toss scenario
— aidan o'hara (@oharaa) July 23, 2015
How can a years worth of training and preparation come down to a coin toss in top grade camogie to see who goes forward! #Madness
— Amy Forde (@amyforde6) July 22, 2015
