Mayo boss focused on Cavan after squad split

MAYO ladies football manager Peter Leahy says he is determined to lead his side into their All-Ireland qualifier opener against Cavan despite the loss of several of his squad in recent days. Ten of the squad — including record scorer Cora Staunton — and selector Michael McHale left the Mayo squad late last week but Leahy and the remaining players are set to take on Cavan in Clones this Saturday. Mayo, who were runners-up in last year’s All-Ireland final, saw their Championship season get off to a losing start with defeat to Galway in the Connacht senior final, and they were then paired with Cavan and Dublin in their pool, with two teams set to go forward to the quarter-finals. Yesterday’s Mayo News reported that the players had left the squad due to ‘player welfare’ issues. Leahy previously managed the Westmeath ladies side to the intermediate All-Ireland before he took charge of Mayo ahead of this season, and he insisted his focus remains on the Cavan game. ‘I am preparing for a Championship match on Saturday and as soon as that is over I will give you the facts,’ said Leahy, who was also involved as a coach under last year’s manager Frank Browne. Among the high-profile departures from the squad is captain Sarah Tierney, while vice-captain Fiona McHale has joined her father and selector in the walk-out with all of the Carnacon contingent in the squad. When contacted yesterday Tierney declined the opportunity to speak on behalf of the team. In a statement released through the Women’s Gaelic Players Association, the players who have stepped away said: ‘We have stepped away from the Mayo panel for player welfare issues that are personal and sensitive to the players involved. ‘Out of respect to the girls playing at the weekend and ourselves, we will not be commenting further. We wish the Mayo team well with their game on Saturday.’ Mayo had shown some real form under Leahy in the early part of the year and reached the Lidl league final only to lose out to Dublin in a repeat of last summer’s All-Ireland final.