Dismay over failure to resolve Mayo GAA venue impasse

There is great disappointment throughout Mayo GAA circles over the fact the county's senior hurling squad is not playing their Christy Ring Cup clash against Sligo at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park tomorrow.

Instead the match is going ahead at James Stephens Park in Ballina at 2 p.m.

When the matter was first highlighted earlier this week, there were hopes within the sport that a resolution would be found.

The fact it has not happened does not augur well for relationships between the Gaelic football and hurling codes in the county.

The Mayo GAA Board said the reason access to MacHale Park was not giving to the hurling team was due to recommendations by the head groundsman at Croke Park in relation to protecting the surface.

They have also stated that their principal ground is not yet available for all teams at this stage.

Some repair work is still underway in one of the goal areas at MacHale Park.

However, many GAA supporters remain puzzled over the fact the county's senior football squad can train on the pitch but the hurlers are not permitted to play on it for a significant fixture.

It's a controversy that is likely to run and run.