There were mixed emotions for Kilkenny supporters at Croke Park yesterday, with their men's and women's teams having different results in their respective fixtures at GAA HQ.
The camogie team came up just short in their All-Ireland quarter-final, with their reign as All-Ireland champions coming to an end after a one-point loss to Cork. On the other hand, their hurlers would overcome Clare in a thrilling clash to book their place in the sport's showpiece event for the second consecutive season.
While the results for the two sides were different, it was a Kilkenny player that was picked out as the star performer in each fixture. Denise Gaule was named player-of-the-match in the camogie, while Eoin Cody was given the equivalent honour in the hurling.
However, some eyebrows were raised by the awards given to each player.
Kilkenny players given very different player-of-the-match awards
Before yesterday's game between Kilkenny and Cork, there was yet another moment of protest as camogie players seek equality in terms of playing conditions. They are seeking parity in comparison to the men's game when it comes to issues such as expenses, equipment, and training conditions, something that is a long overdue change in the sport.
“People might question why they have ‘United for Equality’ on their t-shirts.”
While Cork’s players returned to the dressing rooms as part of their pre-match protest, Kilkenny remained on the pitch. #RTEGAA
📺 Watch: https://t.co/GtvBUh0FAD
📱 Updates: https://t.co/5tZ6SZJu8m pic.twitter.com/Ai3UHfD4Yf— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 9, 2023
They have received plenty of support from the men's game for their efforts, although the scenes after yesterday's two games summed up how far we still have to go.
Whereas Eoin Cody was given a striking looking crystal piece for his player-of-the-match award, Denise Gaule was given a radio by a sponsor.
This may seem like a small thing, but it sums up the chasm that exists between the two codes at the moment. Quite a few supporters were shocked to see that such an obvious difference was still on display in 2023.
Two Kilkenny players rightfully get #PlayerOfTheMatch today, one gets a crystal hurl & the other gets a radio 🤷🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/thTyMRsYKz
— Brendan Cruise (@brendancruise) July 9, 2023
So the lads were getting nice big boxes of goodies from Eir and now lovely big crystal pieces and the women get a radio? 🤯 Congrats on hurling your heart out and training the bollox off yourself all year here’s a radio for your troubles 🫠 https://t.co/lMF4MYSvGC
— Marie Kennedy (@Kennedy5Marie) July 9, 2023
I’m sorry… a radio??? For POTM?? Is this 2023 yeah? 🤯 #Camogie https://t.co/FGjsFtXzj0
— Fiona Quirke (@fiquirke) July 9, 2023
Kilkenny Camogie player of the match gets a radio as her award, Eoin Cody gets an impressive wooden/crystal award. Ridiculous and says it all about treatment of players #gaa
— Orla Casey (@caseyorla) July 9, 2023
Player of the match Eoin Cody gets a nice looking trophy,
while in the camogie Denise Gaule got a fucking radio 🙄 #unitedforequality #gaa #kilkenny— Vera Nic Craith (@VeraMcGrath) July 9, 2023
Did @Dimplex_Ireland just present the player of the match @Gaulers91 with a vintage radio as the award on national tv? Jaysus. #kilkenny #cork
— Caroline (@carolineoflion5) July 9, 2023
Incidents such as this one are only likely to highlight the cause of camogie players even further.
It certainly sums up the clear difference when it comes to things such as sponsorship and investment in the two games, something that needs to change moving forward.
Speaking on The Sunday Game last night, Donal Óg Cusack said the move away from treating female players as 'second class citizens' was long overdue.
Dónal Óg Cusack staunchly defends the camogie stars of Kilkenny and backs the motives and goals that have promoted protests in the sport. #sundaygame #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/So3vHDHSyQ
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 9, 2023
The bigger question is why do our female colleagues and female counterparts continue to be treated as second class citizens, be it from a medical, expenses, or equipment point of view? That's the biggest questions.
Sometimes administrators let the mask slip a bit and give an insight into their view towards players. Even in the last week, we had a former high level administrator talking about female players taking the 'honey approach'.
Imagine that in 2023? I think that tells you the view that exists among some administrators. It's basically 'be good girls, do what you're told, and we will sort you out when we feel like it'.
The feeling I get from the female players is that they're not prepared for that. I tell you, they're dead right. Why should they be treated as second class citizens?
Hopefully these issues will be rectified sooner rather than later.
SEE ALSO: RTÉ Pundits Agree Clare Unfortunate With Big Refereeing Mistake In Kilkenny Loss
