'Unacceptable' – Mayo Senator slams Irish Rail over quarter-final snub

Mayo supporters have been left without a special train service to Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final against Cork, despite Irish Rail laying on extra services for rival counties.

Senator Mark Duffy has said it is "frankly unacceptable" that no additional service has been arranged for Mayo fans travelling to Croke Park, after GAA Specials were confirmed from Tralee, Cork and Dundalk to facilitate Kerry, Cork and Louth supporters.

The Fine Gael senator had earlier this week called on Irish Rail to provide a direct special train for Mayo supporters, citing the short notice of the draw and the knock-on impact on accommodation availability.

No such service has since been announced.

"The Mayo support is legendary and will travel in huge numbers this weekend," Senator Duffy said.

"It is frankly unacceptable that no additional services have been provided to accommodate that demand, and all the more galling when we see extra services being laid on for supporters travelling from other parts of the country."

Senator Duffy has called on the Minister for Transport to step in directly.

"Mayo fans have followed their team through good times and bad and will do so again this weekend," he said.

"I am calling on the Minister for Transport to intervene as a matter of urgency and to ensure that our supporters have the same access to extra train services as their fellow supporters across the country."

Mayo face Cork in Croke Park on Saturday at 4 p.m., with the winners progressing to the All-Ireland semi-final.