Mayo GAA engulfed in controversy over choice of match songs

THE MAYO GAA County Board is tonight engulfed in a fresh controversy.

According to a report in the Irish Independent, the board has issued an apology to the chairman of the Mayo GAA International Foundation, Tim O'Leary, over the choice of songs played in Elverys MacHale Park last Saturday over the public address system during half-time in a senior game between a county selection and the Underdogs.

Among the songs played over the public address system were 'Money, Money, Money' and 'Shoe the Donkey.

The newspaper is reporting the letter of apology to Mr. O'Leary, a millionaire backer of the sport, stated the choice of songs were 'a light-hearted take on recent events'.

Mr. O'Leary, who was in the stadium for last Saturday's match, has been involved in a dispute with the board over the foundation"s release of funding raised for the new Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence in Castlebar due to his concerns over what have been cited as 'governance issues' within the organisation.

It has also been widely reported that he was allegedly referred to as a 'donkey' by a board official in an email which was circulated to clubs.

The controversy is due to be discussed at a meeting of the county board tomorrow.