The Mayo footballers will contravene GAA rules if they proceed with a week-long training camp next April.

Mayo manager Stephen Rochford has informed the county board of his plans to hold the camp from April 11 to 18, but under new GAA rules, inter-county training camps are not permitted to take place until Friday, May 4. The penalty for breaching the rule, which was introduced at Special Congress in September to free up time for club activity, would see Mayo lose home advantage for their next 'home' game in the 2019 Allianz League.

Speaking in his capacity as vice-chairman of Ballyhaunis GAA club at a meeting of Mayo club managers and officials last week, Connacht GAA secretary John Prenty noted how that the month of April has effectively been set aside for club activity.

"County players have to be available to clubs in April," he is quoted as saying in the Western People.

"That's what was passed at Congress. I would say that in the month of April, it's possible to play at least four rounds of league football that don't have to be starred (games that can take place without county players)."

Mayo Central Council delegate Sean Mac Eil added: "One of the standpoints of the Super 8s introduction was that April would be free to the clubs - it was up there in flashing red lights."

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