Calls for equality after Kildare camogie final ends in darkness
The Naas team in Cedral St Conleth's Park after the trophy presentation Photo: Aisling Hyland
THIS year’s Ladies Senior Camogie Final has received a lot of online criticism after stadium lights were allegedly switched off just minutes after the final whistle, leaving players celebrating in darkness.
The incident occurred earlier this month at Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge Camogie County Championship featured Naas and Maynooth on Friday 10 October.
There were also similar issues senior club football championship final between Ladies teams Eadestown and St Laurence's on 3 October at the same venue.
According to players and spectators at the camogie finak, the floodlights were turned off almost immediately after the presentation ceremony, preventing teams from thoroughly celebrating their victory on the pitch.
“Once they got down to the pitch with the cup, the pitch lights were gone completely,” said local photographer Aisling Hyland, a regular attendee at county finals at various grades in Kildare.
Many within the women’s football and camogie community believe the issue goes beyond one night of poor treatment, citing unequal access to the county grounds for matches.
“There was one LGFA game and one camogie game all year played in St Conleth’s,” said Ms Hyland, before drawing attention to the importance of women in the GAA, and adding that women are central to running club events and fundraising at all levels.
Concerns have also been raised about the facilities available to women’s teams, who claim that there was no warm water available for players post-match. However, Kildare GAA disputed these claims in a statement.
“Kildare GAA can confirm that the stadium lights at Cedral St Conleth’s Park remained on throughout the conclusion of the Ladies Senior Camogie Final and the Ladies LGFA Final, including the presentations of the cups.
“Any suggestion that the lights were turned off prior to the presentations is incorrect and false.”
“Kildare GAA can also confirm that both teams for the Ladies LGFA Final and the Kildare Camogie Senior Final had hot showers available in the dressing rooms and access to all facilities.”
It concluded: “Kildare GAA, Kildare LGFA, and Kildare Camogie maintain a strong and positive working relationship, founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the promotion and development of Gaelic games for all participants across the county.”
Kildare LGFA wrote in a statement: “Kildare LGFA can confirm that all stadium lights were not turned off prior to the cup presentation and that full access to all facilities in Cedral St Conleth's Park was given by Kildare GAA.”
It continued: “Kildare LGFA are currently planning for our 2025 County Convention, which will be held on the 16 November 2025 in Cedral St. Conleth's Park. Following Convention, the incoming Kildare LGFA Executive will continue the positive working relationship both executive committees have enjoyed. Kildare LGFA will work constructively with Kildare GAA to agree the use of facilities for the 2026 Inter-County and Club season.”
Local Newbridge representative, cllr Chris Pender, has offered his support to players and supporters.
He said: “This is not fair. Women and girls deserve the same access and respect as men.”
Cllr Pender wrote to Kildare GAA requesting an urgent meeting with Kildare LFGA and Kildare Camogie, full data on pitch use and facilities since St Conleth’s grounds reopened, and a plan that guarantees equal access to the grounds for 2025 and 2026.
He concluded: “You should be proud to play for your county and your club. You should feel valued. I will keep working with players and the organisations to make sure this changes.”
Despite criticism, Kildare GAA and LFGA have stood by their statements, stating all facilities were available and that floodlights remained on for the standard duration. However, those who attended the match maintain that the players were left, literally and symbolically, in the dark.
