“It Felt Like A Death In The Room” – Clare PRO Speaks Out About Decision To Withdraw From Championship

It’s been the story that has haunted the Camogie Association for the last week, as a huge debate was sparked online surrounding the All-Ireland quarter-finals. With Clare and Dublin on level points, it was ruled by the Association that lots would be drawn to determine which team would advance to meet Wexford this weekend at Semple Stadium. On the back of the ruling, both Clare and Dublin county camogie boards withdrew from the ‘coin toss’ and Clare PRO Brid McNamara spoke to Newstalk this morning about the difficulty in making the decision. “Both Dublin and ourselves were in line to be drawn for lots this morning to see who would progress to the quarter-final,” she said. “We would prefer to withdraw our names from that." “Both parties would prefer to go through to a quarter-final on merit of their performance in the championship as opposed to a drawing of lots or toss of a coin. “It was a difficult statement for us to draft," she continued. “It was extremely difficult to face our players last night." “I’m the PRO and there are no words in my vocabulary to convey the hurt, the disappointment and the absolute feeling of betrayal there was in that room last night. “It felt like a death in that room.” A statement from the Camogie Association is expected later this afternoon.

Spoke to officials from both Cork & Tipp, as far as they are concerned there is no doubt over them fulfilling their #Camogie QF #cointoss — Damien O'Meara (@damien_omeara) July 29, 2015

Hat tip: Newstalk/Images via INPHO