Ballina Town FC has been informed by the Mayo Football League that the 2020 season will be voided.

Both the club’s A and B teams had played eight rounds in the Elverys Sports Super League and Castlecourt Hotel Premier League respectively, and both were still involved in the Calor Gas Mayo Super Cup and Calor Gas Premier Cup, respectively.

Last season’s games were played between July 18 and October 4, when competition was postponed. The Mayo Football had sought and been granted an extension to March 21, but as of now that only allows seven weekends to complete six rounds of the leagues and the cup semi-finals and finals. The Mayo Football League said eight weekends would be required to complete the programme, including this weekend.

Mayo Football League secretary John Durkan said: “As you can see from the time allowed, it is not possible to complete our programme.”

He told the club this afternoon: “As you are aware, the Mayo League 2020 season has ‘hung in the balance’ for a number of months due to the current pandemic. In order to alleviate the uncertainty, the League Management Committee has now taken the decision now to void the 2020 season.

“This is a decision that was not taken lightly but after much discussion and interaction with the Connacht FA and the FAI we feel it is the correct decision in order to allow everybody to prepare properly for the 2021 season.”

Mr. Durkan added: “May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your cooperation and patience during the past 12 months. It has been difficult for all concerned but we did get to play 149 matches from July 18 to October 4, this we were all grateful for.

“When we are given the go-ahead to resume competitive action we will allow everybody to have four weeks to prepare.

“In the meantime, on behalf of the Mayo League, I ask you all to stay safe and follow the guidelines, mind yourselves and mind each other.”