Castlebar Mitchels objection to Cora Staunton eligibility sends Carnacon into relegation final

ELIGIBILITY OBJECTION: Castlebar Mitchels LGFA complaint to Cora Staunton's appearance for Carnacon during last Sunday's league match between the two sides has been upheld by the Mayo County Board. Picture: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile 

Castlebar Mitchels LGFA complaint to Cora Staunton's appearance for Carnacon during last Sunday's league match between the two sides has been upheld by the Mayo County Board.

The former Mayo player scored a hat-trick for her homeside as they overcame Castlebar by 7-4 to 1-12 but Carnacon have been forced to forfeit the win after Castlebar objected to hereligibility.

Castlebar put in the objection withing hours of the final whistle reports the Mayo News. “We have been advised that an unregistered player was named and fielded for the semi-final match against us on Sunday, August 18 2024.”

The objection was discussed at the Mayo LGFA Disciplinary Committed and they ruled ni favour of Castlebar and ordered a reversal of the result giving them the points and Carnacon now face a relegation play-off. 

It is reported that Staunton's registration was submitted in the days leading up to the game on Sunday but was not sanctioned by the authorities in Croke Park until Monday morning meaning that most decorated ladies footballer Stauton was ineligible to play for the club which she has donned the green and red jersey for more thn 30 seasons.

Staunton is available to play this Sunday in the relegation play-off final agaisnt Moy Davitts.

The 11 time All-Star winner won four All-Ireland's with Mayo and six club All-Ireland titles with Carnacon. She played for the Greater Western Sydney Giants for five years in the AFLW scoring 55 goals. 

She has coached with numerous teams and was part of the Galway camogie management team last year. She is currently coach with the Ballina Stephenites men's senior team who started their Mayo SFC defence last Saturday with a win over Mayo Gaels.