New Tipp boss Leahy faces player axing row

Tipperary hurling hero John Leahy has created a massive storm by axing five leading players from the county’s ladies football panel.

Leahy was unveiled as the Premier County’s new ladies football supremo earlier this year in a blaze of publicity. But after meeting with a number of players to discuss their views on training associated issues, the former All-Ireland SHC medallist decided to drop five of the squad’s most influential stars.

Mairead Morrissey, vice-captain Jennifer Grant, Kelly Hackett and Samantha Lambert were let go last week, after Patricia Hickey was dropped recently. But Leahy faces a major problem ahead of the Ladies NFL Division 3 semi-final against Armagh on April 27 as the vast majority of Tipp’s other players boycotted a training session last week in support of the axed quintet.