Mayo feel low over pitch woe
MAYO have expressed disappointment at not being able to play their
Christy Ring Cup home ties at Hastings Insurance
Machale Park.
After a poor league campaign which was dogged by injuries to key players, they were relegated to Division 3 in losing by a point to
Wicklow.
However, with a replenished squad and a turnaround in form Mayo are now just two wins away from a Ring Cup final.
Derek Walsh’s side face Sligo at home in the fourth round of the competition on Saturday.
A win in that game and against Derry at home the following week would seal their place in the final.
The camp wants those games played at the newly resurfaced Machale Park, which was unveiled for the Connacht SFC clash between Galway and Mayo.
Instead they must continue playing their home games at James Stephens Park in Ballina.
The Mayo GAA board has stated that it is following the recommendations of the head groundsman at Croke Park in relation to protecting the surface.
They have also said that their principal ground is not yet available for all teams.
The county’s minor football team will play Sligo in the championship at Ballina this Friday with some repair work still underway in one of the goal areas at Machale Park.
But the hurling set-up are hopeful of a U-turn.
Selector John Cunnane said: “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 but it was turned down.
“We were told that they were following advice following the laying of the pitch surface.”