Women's Gaelic football Mayo gear dispute: Mayo's decision to appeal the suspension handed down by the women's football association over a gear dispute has paved the way for their return to competition with immediate effect, starting with tomorrow's National League semi-final against Waterford.

The management committee of the women's association met last night and a full statement on their next course of action is due today. But it is known the Mayo appeal has raised the necessary "new evidence" which would allow the women's association to overturn the decision, which had threatened Mayo's defence of their All-Ireland title in the forthcoming championship.

Officials from the team held their own emergency meeting on Thursday night, where it was decided an appeal was the best way of bringing the matter to an end.

The dispute had dragged on for several months, stemming from Mayo's insistence on wearing their own Azzurri-sponsored gear as opposed to the official O'Neill's-sponsored gear in last year's All-Ireland semi-finals and finals.

Mayo claim the "new evidence" concerns the communication to the independent mediator called into the dispute, John Prenty, and their claim that they did accept his nine recommendations, subject to amendments on two points.

In relation to the reduced fine of 2,200, lowered from the original figure of 22,200, they want this donated to a charity of the mediator's choice.

It was also requested that Mayo be given leave to honour their contract with Azzurri, a request that will have to be made in writing.

Normally, the entire central council of the women's association would have dealt with such an appeal, but the management committee was on Wednesday night given special dispensation to bring the matter to a swift conclusion.