A GAA club has been left fuming after a ban on an adult who entered the playing field during an underage game was reduced from the maximum ban of 96 weeks to just two games.
Castlebar Mitchels in Mayo released a blunt statement on Wednesday evening, following the GAA disciplinary appeal hearing into the incident which occurred during a recent Under 17 game with Westport GAA.
An adult who entered the pitch had been sanctioned by the GAA after doing so.
They had imposed the maximum ban of 96 weeks.
They had also removed Westport from the competition as a result of the offence, but both sanctions were overturned, with the adult in question receiving just a two game ban instead.
In their statement Castlebar Mitchels outlined their concerns following the incident which occurred at a recent U17 Club football semi-final.
The club stated that: "Following on from the abandoned game Castlebar Mitchels were fined €250 for failure to apply for permission to video the game. The fine was not appealed and has since been paid. Mayo County Board CCC fined Westport €1000. The club also noted that the adult who entered the field received a 96 week ban and the club was removed from the competition.
"Westport appealed this decision to the Appeals Hearing Mayo GAA and following on from the appeal it was announced that they have been reinstated to the competition and the 96-week ban has been reduced to 2 games."
The club went on to say that they were "very disappointed" with the findings of the appeal, saying that it "wasn't in keeping with the best interests of child welfare"
They have also called on Mayo GAA to not resume with the Under 17A Championship until the investigations are fully completed.
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