The Thong series of emails was a one of our favourite in the early days as the responses were so varied. Tennis Ireland clearly copped on to us which again makes it all the more funny.
To: GAA Headquarters & Tennis Ireland , Subject: Attire
– substitute tennis for hurling where applicable
Hi,
My name is M*** M** O’C***, im 23 years of age and I play camogie with Toomevara club in Tipperary.
I am writing to you in the hope that someone there can clarify exactly where the GAA stand on certain rules regarding playing attire.
Ill cut straight to the chase. The issue of weather or not we as camogie players are allowed to wear a thong during play has become a major point of contention within the club of late, with opinions generally split down the middle.
I would be hugely grateful if you could clarify exactly the GAAs stance on this issue as it really has both sides divided here.
The sooner we have clarification, either way, the sooner the team can put the issue behind them and concentrate on the upcoming championship.
Regards M**** M O’****
Reply 1: From: Maire Ui Scolai, National Camogie PRO
Hi,
You recently sent an e-mail to Siobh n Brady in the GAA Office in Croke Park and which was sent on to me.
Rule 20.8 states that Teams are required to wear distinctive colours.
In all instances all members of the team must be unifirmly dressed.
Uniforms, which shall be of Irish manufacture if possible, shall consist of: gym tunic/skirt/divided skirt with matching sports underwear,blouse/sports shirt with long or short sleeves, knee socks and boots.
Goalkeepers may wear full uniform, full club/college/county/provincial track suit or the tracksuit bottoms with uniform jersey.
The crest of Cumann Cam gaiochta na nGael shall be displayed on the uniform jerseys.
Maire Maire Ui Scolai
National Camogie PRO
Ph/Fax: 01 2849***
Mobile: 087 2797***
Web Site: http://www.camogie.ie
Reply 2: From: Aileen Rogan, Tennis Ireland
Hi Martina,
Thanks for your email. There is nothing at all in the Rules of Tennis regarding the wearing of a thong.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for you.
Kind regards Aileen Rogan
Reply 3: Des Allen, Chief Executive Officer Tennis Ireland
Hi Martina,
This whole question of appropriate underwear for young ladies while playing Tennis does concern us.
Some of the older members of your club probably feel you have quite a cheek for exposing your issues to Tennis Ireland….however we hope to strip away some of the more flimsy arguments and get right to the bottom of this matter.
Before taking up a position on your thong I would ask you to send on some photos/ samples.
We are not about to go into this investigation in a half-assed way.
Des Allen
Chief Executive Officer Tennis Ireland
The Reign of Terror 