By Niall Gartland

THE skorts saga has only served to highlight the lack of spotlight afforded talented camogs across the country, according to Down senior camogie manager Domhnall Nugent.

Camogie hit the headlines in recent weeks when players protested against a rule dictating that the players must wear skorts, a controversy that reached a satisfactory resolution at last Thursday’s Special Congress, where a resounding majority voted in favour of making the traditional attire an optional choice for players.

That’s all well and good, but former Antrim hurler Nugent believes the controversy inadvertently flagged up another problem – the dearth of camogie coverage from certain outlets, particularly at national level.

“I saw BBC cover camogie for probably the first time all year and it’s do with skorts, and you’re thinking about players on our teams, who are playing at the highest levels, and thinking wouldn’t it be great if they actually start to come out and cover the matches?

“These girls are putting so much into it – we’re training three times on the pitch, twice in the gym, the same as the Antrim hurlers, and I just think they deserve more of a platform.”

Nugent says that his team had been contacted for their take on the skorts situation, and again it aggrieves him that they aren’t been afforded due respect for the effort they’re putting in on the field of play.

“I’m working with some of the best athletes in the country – we have a couple of girls who have children, others leaving at 5.30 in the morning and not getting back until 11 at night. There’s girls having to get a boat to and from training.

“It’s mental and I just wish these journalists would ring those girls and ask them about what it’s actually like to be a high-level camogie player.

“I’ve never been with a group like it and I’ve been about different teams over the years. They’re unbelievable and deserve to be held up and given a bit of recognition.”