MAYO'S SENIOR hurling management are said to be furious over not being allowed to play its upcoming home games in the Christy Ring Cup at MacHale Park in Castlebar,
Mayo's hurling management has described the rule as “blatant discrimination
Mayo host Sligo in Round 4 next Saturday and will have a home game against Derry, seven days later, which would secure their place in the Christy Ring Cup final.
But the Mayo County Board executive have ruled that the Mayo hurlers will not be allowed to use the ground against Sligo because of the Connacht SFC clash between Mayo and Galway game
They have been told to play their games at James Stephens Park in Ballina instead.
Mayo hurling selector John Cunnane said: “It is a complete slap in the face to lads who are putting in a huge effort to play senior hurling for Mayo – every bit as big of an effort as the footballers.
'The county football team was able to train there ahead of the Galway game, although we were told they just had a kickaround" said Cunnane.
"And the Mayo senior footballers are able to train there, although we are told they only do ball-work there.
"But we would like to do ball-work there too," Cunnane told RTÉ Sport.
Mayo County Board has been accused of "blatant discrimination" after a decision not to allow its own senior hurling team play its upcoming championship matches in MacHale Park https://t.co/RFaF7ewbFg — Western People (@WesternPeople) May 3, 2022
He also added: Our lads are putting in a huge effort and we would love to play our home games on a great new surface in our main stadium.
"Our hurling board chairman (Jimmy Connor) put in a request to the Mayo Executive for this to happen, but it was turned down.
"We were told that they were following advice following the laying of the pitch surface. We then looked for the game to be played in Torren but that didn’t happen."
Croke Park has been touted as venue but has not yet been made available for all teams.
According to RTE The board is in contact with Croke Park to see how that designated status can be achieved.
"We still feel it’s not good enough," Cunnane says.
"Ballina have been absolutely brilliant in giving us their facilities, but this is championship hurling and we would like the best possible surface to play our hurling games on.
"Hopefully, things will change but we are weary at this stage," Cunnane said.
