Camogie Association sets 50,000 All-Ireland final attendance target by 2026

The lofty ambition is laid out in the association's 'Strategic Plan 2024-2027 – Our Game, Our Passion' which aims to increase overall attendances at fixtures over the timespan by 20pc.

The plan has largely been guided by the results of the in-depth “Research Baseline for Camogie” study, conducted by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University.

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The other pillar aim is to grow membership by 10pc over the next three years.

By pitching for a 50,000 All-Ireland final attendance within three years, the Camogie Association will be looking for a two-thirds increase.

Last August the record attendance for a final, albeit with intermediate and junior finals too, was broken when Cork played Waterford in the senior final and 30,191 showed up.

Before that, the highest was in 2019 when there were 24,730 there to watch as Galway beat Kilkenny.

The research study provides detailed insights into the current status of camogie and identifies priorities, challenges and opportunities.

Most of the feedback was positive with 88pc satisfied with the friendliness and location of their camogie clubs with 80pc deeming their clubs 'well organised'. A further 77pc were content with their club's use of social media while 83pc felt their clubs were committed to the values and ethos of the sport.

The study found that there is considerable scope to recruit more volunteers from the ranks of current players and expanding the current volunteer base which is dependent, in large part, on older members.

Respondents to the study are broadly welcoming of integration and feel it can resolve fixture issues and raise the profile of the game.

The outgoing Camogie Association president Hilda Breslin said it was important to listen to the membership as she launched the plan.

“While we work to define what the future of Gaelic Games looks like, it is imperative that we focus on the development of our sport to secure Camogie’s future, cement our place as a leading female field sport and celebrate Camogie’s unique place in Irish culture, heritage and history,” she said.