Former Tipperary midfielder James Woodlock feels Michael Ryan could end up ruing his decision to axe Cathal Barrett from the Premier County's panel this summer.

Barrett was dropped from the All-Ireland champions squad over a breach of discipline after their surprise defeat to Cork in Munster back in May and Ryan has since ruled out any chance of the All Star corner-back making a return this season.

Speaking on the Off The Ball Friday podcast, Woodlock described Barrett as "a massive, massive loss" to the team and feels his absence greatly weakens Tipp's chances of retaining the Liam McCarthy Cup, with an All-Ireland semi-final against favourites Galway just around the corner.

"He's a massive loss. Cathal Barrett is the best corner-back in the game - Paul Murphy, Donagh Maher is having a great season - but he's a massive, massive loss," Woodlock said

"The pace, the aggression, the hurling he has, and he takes on his man every time, he comes outside and delivers a superb ball. I think he's an absolutely massive loss there for his pace alone and his man-marking ability. But if he was to be involved, it would have been last Tuesday night that he would have been back in training - and he's not.

"I would hate to see Tipperary bow out in a semi-final stage or an All-Ireland final stage with Cathal Barrett looking at the telly.

"I don't think the Tipp public are going to thank any management team for leaving off the best corner-back in Tipperary, and have him watching the telly while we progress on to an All-Ireland semi-final."

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