LGFA reduce Carnacon suspensions after six hour appeals hearing

The LGFA have reduced the eight suspensions issued to Carnacon players earlier this month after they were found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute following their walkout from the Mayo panel during the ladies senior football championship.

Cora Staunton, Fiona McHale, Martha Carter, Marie Corbett, Amy Dowling, Doireann Hughes, Sadhbh Larkin and Saoirse Walsh were all handed four week suspensions for their walkouts from Peter Leahy's squad which were imposed under Rule 298 of the LGFA Official Guide which states:

“To whom the objection or appeal is made, shall have the power to award games, review or impose penalties, fines, suspensions, or other such sanctions as they deem necessary.”

In addition to the suspensions, Carnacon were also fined €500 and subsequently appealed the decision. The LGFA upheld the original ruling from the Connacht LGFA Council but reduced the four week suspension to two weeks after considering other factors at a six hour hearing. An LGFA statement read:

"The National Appeals Committee of the LGFA sat for 6 hours last night to hear the appeal from 8 Carnacon Players against a decision of the Connacht Council to suspend them for a period of 4 weeks. "Having considered the evidence, submissions and documents presented the committee imposed a sanction of a two week suspension on each of the Carnacon Players under Rule 288 of the LGFA Official Guide. "The suspension is to commence at 12am on Thursday 27th of September and expires at 12am on Thursday 11th of October. "The Ladies Gaelic Football Association would like to sincerely thank our National Appeals Committee for their diligence in this matter."