Mayo board back manager Peter Leahy following player exodus

Mayo ladies football manager Peter Leahy, who yesterday received the full backing of the county board, has been forced to change one third of his starting team for tomorrow’s qualifier clash against Cavan.

With goalkeeper Aisling Tarpey, captain Sarah Tierney, half-back Doireann Hughes, midfielder Fiona McHale, and Cora Staunton among those to leave the panel last week because of “personal and sensitive” player welfare issues, Leahy has had to make five changes to the side beaten by Galway in last month’s Connacht final.