Mayo Ladies’ county board’s decision to expel Carnacon from the county championship is ‘sensational’ and a “bad situation that will get a whole lot worse”, according to Mayo News’ Edwin McGreal.
News broke today that the board have decided to expel the reigning Mayo ladies’ champions from being able to defend their Mayo, Connacht and All Ireland ladies club championships, following the withdrawal of eight of their players in July over “player welfare issues.”
Carnacon are the only club to be punished in this way, and questions remain as three clubs have remained in the championship despite four of their players also withdrawing. According to Edwin’s sources, the club were punished due to a perceived difference in their role, according to Mayo county secretary, Kevin McDonald:
“The sanction was unique to Carnacon [according to McDonnell] because ‘other players left of an individual nature for personal reasons, Carnacon withdrew their players. They contacted the county manager and withdrew their services. That is what was seen by the meeting as bringing the game into disrepute. It was the action of the club rather than the players.”
Speculation remains as to the motives of the other clubs' decision to vote overwhelmingly against Carnacon, as to whether their success has counted against them. Edwin reported that the club will be appealing the decision, having discussed the situation with Beatrice Casey - the Carnacon club secretary - who gave a clear statement of intent.
"They are having a meeting tonight. They are 100% appealing. Her line on it was very simple: 'Our girls had genuine concerns and genuine issues that they felt were being overlooked, and that is why we got involved as a club.'"
Edwin doubts that the confidentiality agreements that have been in place between individuals involved will not last much longer, and that this a "bad situation that is about to get a whole lot worse."
Edwin also drew attention to the difference in ladies football's rules compared to the men's game, where there are implications on panel members choosing not to travel to remote locations:
"Rule 193 says that 'the county board has the power to suspend for a period of six months any player who refuses to travel or play for the county'.
"You know the old statement that we all statement 'No one is putting a gun to your head to play', well - it does sound like that might not be the case in ladies football."
Stay tuned to offtheball.com for the developments on this story.
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