Mayo's county board has denied that Kieran McDonald has withdrawn from intercounty football for this year. The Crossmolina player was reported on local radio to have quit the county panel.
According to a strong statement, issued by PRO Kevin O'Toole: "The announcement on Mid West Radio that Kieran McDonald will not be playing for Mayo this year is news to the Mayo County Board, news to the Mayo senior team management, and news to Kieran McDonald.
"It is disappointing, and a matter of concern, that neither Mid West Radio, nor the individual who made the announcement on live radio, chose to contact any of the people concerned, before or after making the announcement."
The news originally emerged during match commentary on the Meath-Mayo National League match on Sunday. MWR's usual match broadcaster was on holiday and replaced by the commentator from the station's affiliate North West Radio. He had been told that McDonald had left the panel and announced as much during the match.
McDonald - who was playing soccer on Sunday - and other Crossmolina players have been given a break after losing the All-Ireland club final.
Two of the club team had been called up last Sunday, but Liam Moffatt was still recovering from a cut picked up in the club final defeat by Nemo Rangers and Peadar Gardiner was suffering from fatigue.
It is believed that Mayo manager John Maughan, who also managed Crossmolina, has agreed with McDonald on the player's return in a couple of weeks. Whether this will be in time for the final league match against Fermanagh isn't clear.
Another potential problem for Maughan was also resolved when it emerged that McDonald's teammate, former All Star James Nallen, had decided against spending some time in Australia and will be available for the coming championship.
Meanwhile, there is no news yet on whether Kildare will appeal the forfeiture of two points, awarded to Sligo, because of breach of Rule 109 (c) - failure to furnish the referee with an accurate list of players in the National League defeat of Sligo, who then objected. Croke Park's Games Administration Committee gave the points to Sligo.
Kildare's county officers meet on Thursday night to decide the next move. So far they have not appealed the decision to the GAA's Management Committee.
Last week Sligo offered a rematch, but that would require the approval of Management or Central Council. And it isn't clear that Kildare would be willing to accept such an offer.
The problem for both counties is that the disputed points go to the heart of the relegation race with Kildare propping up Division One B with two points and Sligo third from bottom on four, courtesy of the forfeit.
It may be that the points won't matter on the final day of the season, but, if they do, there will be bad feeling in Kildare over the circumstances of their relegation.
Also in Kildare it's reported one of the county panel's goalkeepers Enda Murphy has quit.
Unhappy at his omission from successive league matches, Murphy - who after years as an understudy to Christy Byrne broke on to the championship team last year - told manager Padraig Nolan that he was withdrawing from the panel.
