Cora Staunton's glorious Carnacon return has been deemed null and void after an objection from Castlebar Mitchels.
The most decorated ladies footballer of all made a stunning comeback for her club last weekend, scoring a hat-trick in their 7-4 to 1-12 victory over the Mitchels in the shield semi-final of the Mayo ladies football League.
The 42-year-old beat six players on the goal-line with a stunning 20 yard free to complete her hat-trick.
But the performance and result has since been over-turned in the boardroom.
As reported in today's Mayo News, Castlebar Mitchels objected to Staunton's presence on the ground that 'an unregistered player (Staunton) was named and fielded for the semi-final match against us on Sunday, August 18 2024.”
19 November 2017; Cora Staunton of Carnacon during the All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Club Championship Semi-Final match between St Macartan's and Carnacon at Fr. Hackett Park in Augher, Tyrone. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
The objection was discussed at a meeting of the Mayo LGFA disciplinary committee who ruled in Castlebar's favour, giving them the points and sending Carnacon into a relegation play-off.
Carnacon had reportedly attempted to complete Staunton's registration in the days before last Sunday's clash but it wasn't fully sanctioned by Croke Park until Monday morning, deeming her ineligible.
She will be able to play in their league relegation play-off final against against Moy Davitts this Sunday.
Legendary ladies footballer Staunton has been heavily involved in coaching as well as punditry on The Sunday Game since calling time on her illustrious AFLW career last year.
She played for five years in the AFLW scoring 55 goals for the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Since then, she has coached numerous teams and was on the line for the Ballina Stephenites men's team last Saturday as they began their Mayo SFC defence with a win. She was also involved with the Galway camogie team last year, having last played football for Mayo in 2018.
As a player, Staunton won four All-Irelands for Mayo and 11 All-Stars, having inspired her club to six All-Ireland titles.
