Shields and McMahon could be in hot water after tunnel incident
Cork's Division 1 title-winning captain Michael Shields and Dublin's Philip McMahon look set to face bans following an incident in the tunnel during yesterday's Allianz Football League decider at Croke Park.
Tempers flared as both sets of players entered the Hogan Stand tunnel for the half-time break, with Dublin leading by 1-10 to 0-10.
2010 All-Star Shields and Dublin corner back McMahon were seen to clash, striking each other in a bout of fisticuffs that drew other players in.
Pitchside stewards played down the seriousness of the incident when speaking to RTE Radio 1 sources, and denied that any blows had been struck.
However, footage from TG4 confirmed that both Shields and McMahon exchanged punches, and the video will now be examined by the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC).
Cork manager Conor Counihan predictably played down the incident when speaking after the game.
"It was a damp squib, as far as I'm concerned. I didn’t see anyone coming in who had to be lifted out of it or anything," he said.
Giving his reaction, Dublin manager Pat Gilroy said: "I think there was nothing there, to be honest with you. There was a bit of pushing and shoving. I was coming in at the end of it but I think that’s all it was. I don’t think anything serious went on."
A Category III offence, which includes "inflicting injury recklessly" by means other than stamping, kicking and headbutting, carries a minimum eight-week ban.
