Laois football chief backs U-21 boss in player release row

LAOIS football chairman Joe O’Dwyer has supported the county’s U21 football manager in a disagreement over the release of his players for senior duty against Offaly last weekend.

Mick O’Dwyer is without at least 10 established players because of holidays, injuries, college and other commitments, and requested some of Sean Dempsey’s underage players for the O’Byrne Cup semi-final last Sunday.

Before Christmas, an agreement had been reached between the managers that the U21s would train and play solely with Dempsey’s team until their championship commitments were over.