Ten players are reported to have left the Mayo ladies senior football squad ahead of this weekend's championship game against Cavan.
Edwin McGreal of The Mayo News reports in today's edition of the paper that the players include captain Sarah Tierney, vice-captain Fiona McHale and Cora Staunton.
Team selector Michel McHale - the father of Fiona MacHale - has also left the set-up.
The players informed manager Peter Leahy of their decision and then the county board.
According to the paper, player welfare issues have been cited by the group as their reason for departing.
The county board confirmed the players have left though they have not provided any further information.
Mayo would have been considered championship contenders going into this season after losing last year's All-Ireland final to Dublin.
Cora Staunton returned to the Mayo panel last month ahead of the Connacht final against Galway - a game Mayo lost. The 36-year-old had spent the early part of 2018 in Australia playing Aussie rules with the Great Western Sydney Giants. She is due to return to Australia for a second season later this year.
UPDATE:
The WGPA have confirmed the dispute and made a statement on behalf of the players involved, confirming that they won't be part of Mayo's panel for their upcoming games and includes a brief statement from the 10 players.
The WGPA wishes to acknowledge the situation in Mayo Ladies Football at present. We are aware of the issues at hand and are supporting all of the players. We recognise the physical and emotional commitment required to operate at the top level of our games and respect the decision of all individual players regarding their own personal playing experience.
The players who have stepped away from the panel at this time have issued the following short statement.
“We have stepped away from the Mayo panel for player welfare issues that are personal and sensitive to the players involved. Out of respect to the girls playing at the weekend and ourselves, we will not be commenting further. We wish the Mayo team well with their game on Saturday.”
We would now appeal that speculation on the matter comes to an end and that all players are supported on and off the field. The WGPA will continue to work with everyone individually and collectively in the best interests of Mayo Ladies Football.
Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
