CONNACHT GAA has reacted angrily to the decision of Mayo to withdraw from next week’s FBD Connacht League final in New York and will consider sanctions.

The county had announced last night that the All-Ireland finalists would not fulfil the fixture because of club schedules and the unavailability of players. After a provincial council meeting also last night, the following statement was released: “Connacht GAA would like to express its extreme disappointment and annoyance at Mayo GAA withdrawing from the Connacht GAA FBD Competition at such short notice, considering the home final was played in January and the date for the final in New York had been decided in October 2011.

“Their action has greatly upset the players, management and officials of the New York team who had been making arrangements to host the All-Ireland finalists in Gaelic Park. Connacht GAA Council wish to thank the competition sponsors FBD, for their understanding at this time and to thank them for their loyal sponsorship of the competition from the outset. In the coming weeks Connacht GAA Council will consider what sanctions to impose on the Mayo GAA County Board for failing to fulfil the fixture.”