Cora Staunton has branded the Mayo county board's actions against All-Ireland Ladies Club champions Carnacon as a "witch hunt".

Staunton was among 14 members to leave the panel - including eight from club side Carnacon - citing 'player welfare issues' as their reason for stepping away from the inter-county set-up.

Carnacon were expelled from the Mayo championship, but won their appeal in front of the Connacht Council last week as a result of the walk-out.

Speaking to OTB AM this morning, the Mayo LGFA confirmed that they will be appealing the decision which will now go before a Connacht Council Meeting - a date for which is yet to be decided.

In a statement last night to The42, the Mayo Senior Ladies Team stated they "categorically disagree" with the statement made by those who left the panel and insisted they had not been given "reasoning or clarity" as to why the decision was taken.

They added: "We take offence to some of the comments that have been made by certain players over the last few weeks in the media."

Staunton strongly denied claims within the statement that there was a "failed coup".

"There are 14 people here who have walked away, eight of those from one club," she said.

"We had certain reasons for walking away and because of this we're being punished because eight girls from one club decided to walk away.

"The 14 people that left the senior team in July all left for the same reason... I think that's been lost out there."

She added: "We feel it's nearly a witch-hunt on the club at this stage."

Carnacon’s Cora Staunton winning after last year's All Ireland Ladies Senior Club Football Championship Final in Parnell Park. Image: ©INPHO/Oisin Keniry