Oscar Traynor turmoil as players withdrawn from Mayo squad
Umbro Park will host the FAI Oscar Traynor Inter-League Cup semi-final match between Mayo Football League and Limerick League. Picture: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
The Mayo League’s preparations for the FAI Oscar Traynor Cup semi-final have been rocked by the decision of Ballyheane FC to withdraw their players from the panel, the has learned.
The club made the bombshell decision last week to withdraw their three players from the squad after the league declined the club’s request to re-arrange last Thursday’s night Super League fixture with Castlebar Celtic, which saw Ballyheane defeated 3-0.
Celtic and Ballyheane were originally scheduled to play on the opening weekend of the Super League last month but the game was postponed due to both clubs being in action in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup.
The understands that Ballyheane are frustrated over the scheduling of the game for last Thursday as a significant number of their playing squad were unavailable to play due to college commitments.
While the club is not opposed to playing Thursday nights, which are primarily fixed for outstanding games to be played, the club’s position is understood to be that Thursday night games were not to begin until May.
Two catchup games went ahead last Thursday evening: Castlebar Celtic versus Ballyheane and Westport United versus Ballina Town.
When contacted, spokespersons for both Ballyheane and the Mayo Football League declined to comment on the matter.
The Mayo League will play Limerick League in the Oscar Traynor Cup semi-final later this month (March 23) in Umbro Park.
