Former Mayo forward John Casey says the high profile financial dispute engulfing the County Board is a "mess" and an "embarrassment".
The Mayo Supporters Foundation financier Tim O'Leary's concerns over a number of governance issues has seen €250,000 raised for Mayo GAA at function in New York earlier this summer withheld.
Mayo County Board chairman Mike Connolly has insisted there are no governance issues within the county though recent meetings - held in camera without media present – have not appeared to resolve the dispute.
Last week officials of the Mayo County Board met with the Connacht Council and Croke Park representatives in an effort to iron out a resolution to the ongoing impasse.
Speaking to RTE Radio 1’s Sunday Sport, former Mayo forward Casey outlined his viewpoint on the sorry saga.
"It’s a mess, to be honest with you. It’s an embarrassment, " he said.
"I prefer what happens on the green grass, but it has just been embarrassing for what has happened to such a football-proud county.
"Tim O'Leary is obviously a fanatical fundraiser and wants to put his money where his mouth is and has done so. It hasn’t been handled well at all, embarrassing from all sides and some form of mediator needs to come in.
"If this guy [O’Leary] wants to give lots of money to the Mayo GAA cause, then somebody needs to talk to him.
"Has he a right to go in and delve in the nitty gritty of a county board? No he hasn’t.
Mayo is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the off season for the last few years and we need to get out of there
"Has he a right to know if he is handing over masses amounts of money on what it is being spent on? Yes he has.
"Mayo is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the off-season for the last few years and we need to get out of there."
Casey doesn’t subscribe to the view that there won’t be a knock-on effect to matters on the pitch and was asked if the dispute will impact on the players.
"That's 100%. An unhappy executive is an unhappy camp. The players will definitely tell you it’s not bothering them and James Horan will say the same, but it causes bad harmonious vibes."
