IT’S TIME FOR A CAMOGIE “UP FOR THE MATCH
Issued : Thursday 18 August, 2011
Areas : Wexford
Labour Councillor for Wexford, Joe Ryan, has said that RTÉ should consider extending the “Up For The Match” coverage to include Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football to acknowledge the achievement of counties qualifying for the finals in these sports. Cllr Ryan wrote to the Controller of Programmes at RTÉ on Monday to ask that this would be considered in the interest of gender equity and the promotion of the game. Cllr Ryan has said that he is disappointed with the response he received from RTÉ
Labour Councillor for Wexford, Joe Ryan, has said that RTÉ should consider extending the “Up For The Match” coverage to include Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football to acknowledge the achievement of counties qualifying for the finals in these sports. Cllr Ryan wrote to the Controller of Programmes at RTÉ on Monday to ask that this would be considered in the interest of gender equity and the promotion of the game. Cllr Ryan has said that he is disappointed with the response he received from RTÉ.
Cllr Ryan said that given that the pairings for this year’s All Ireland hurling final are the same as in 2009 and 2010, the concept of the programme would be boosted by extending participation to counties which qualify for the sports female equivalent.
“I acknowledge the achievement of Wexford’s Camogie team in qualifying again for another All Ireland. As mayor last year, my path and that of the Camogie team regularly crossed. I was struck by the level of commitment of all players and management to training, diet, social discipline and lifestyle. I see no difference in terms of what female and male players do at the top level to succeed and I would like to see RTÉ accept this in terms of its national coverage of the national games.
“I attended the 2010 final with my daughters and I've never experienced the atmosphere and excitement that was there that day. It's time for the media to fully embrace and value gender equality in sport. For many counties the chances of being featured in Gaelic football or hurling are extremely low.
“To extend the “Up For The Match” to Camogie would be complimentary to RTÉ’s sponsorship of the All Ireland Camogie championship. Given that few counties dominate both hurling and Gaelic football, extending the programme would breathe life into the concept of the programme and reach beyond a male audience.”
Cllr Ryan said that given that the pairings for this year’s All Ireland hurling final are the same as in 2009 and 2010, the concept of the programme would be boosted by extending participation to counties which qualify for the sports female equivalent.
“I acknowledge the achievement of Wexford’s Camogie team in qualifying again for another All Ireland. As mayor last year, my path and that of the Camogie team regularly crossed. I was struck by the level of commitment of all players and management to training, diet, social discipline and lifestyle. I see no difference in terms of what female and male players do at the top level to succeed and I would like to see RTÉ accept this in terms of its national coverage of the national games.
“I attended the 2010 final with my daughters and I've never experienced the atmosphere and excitement that was there that day. It's time for the media to fully embrace and value gender equality in sport. For many counties the chances of being featured in Gaelic football or hurling are extremely low.
“To extend the “Up For The Match” to Camogie would be complimentary to RTÉ’s sponsorship of the All Ireland Camogie championship. Given that few counties dominate both hurling and Gaelic football, extending the programme would breathe life into the concept of the programme and reach beyond a male audience.”
Cllr 
