[ad_1]
The situation the Cork and Galway footballers found themselves in over the weekend “left a lot to be desired” and was “very, very unsatisfactory,” according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Mr. Martin said that the unpleasant situation raised more important questions around “parity and equality” within women’s sport in general.
The venue for the All-Ireland Senior Women’s Soccer Championship semi-final between Cork and Galway was changed at the end of the day, disrupting the plans of both teams.
The game was to be played at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon but, due to an icy field, it was moved to Croke Park. TG4’s live television coverage had to be aborted, while Galway only arrived minutes before the 1pm kick-off.
It was the second change of venue for the teams, with the Gaelic Grounds of Limerick IT originally chosen, before being taken over earlier in the week by senior men’s pitchers in preparation for the Irish final against Waterford.
Mr. Martin said he wanted to congratulate the Cork football team for winning under very difficult circumstances, but said it “left a lot to be desired”.
“I think the respective associations should work together in this regard, to have proper parity and equality in terms of how women’s football and women’s sport in general are treated,” she said.
“It was very, very unsatisfactory what happened over the weekend in terms of changing venues a couple of times. It’s not good for the team or the respective players on both sides and it definitely has to change. “
[ad_2]