Both Anthony Daly and Shane Dowling felt Mikey Kiely should have been sent-off for a wild pull which left Seamus Kennedy requiring treatment in Waterford's victory over Tipperary on Sunday.
In the 35th minute, a free from Waterford's Stephen Bennett fell short of the Tipperary goal. Kiely had a swing at the sliotar in the air, and hit Tipperary defender Kennedy.
The wing-back was temporarily replaced by Robert Byrne.
"I don't think that's anywhere much near the ball," Daly said on RTÉ's coverage.
"Seamus Kennedy gets the ball with a touch on his hurley. He gets his head split. That's loose use of the hurley. I think it should have been [a red card]."
Shane Dowling added: "Initially, I said I didn't know if it was a red card but when a fella pulls hard, and a fella comes out with a split head, it's hard to argue."
17 April 2022; Seamus Kennedy of Tipperary leaves the pitch to receive medical treatment during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Waterford and Tipperary at Walsh Park in Waterford. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Kiely had a key role in Waterford's victory. After going in three points down at half-time, Waterford blitzed Tipp in the second half to win by four.
Kiely played a part in both Waterford goals. He scored the first early in the second half to put Waterford ahead, striking Patrick Curran's handpass to the net first time
Lots of momentum changes in this game.
Waterford have dominated this half with Michael Kiely's first-time finish starting their comeback.
Highlights on #sundaygame at 9.30pm, conclusion live now on @rte2 and @rteplayer pic.twitter.com/vZhA335hTG— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 17, 2022
Seven minutes later, it was Kiely whose handpass set up Dessie Hutchinson for Waterford's second goal of the game.
Waterford eventually won 2-24 to 2-20.
A second goal for @WaterfordGAA Courtesy of Dessie Hutchinson! #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/SbKA3Dg6Lc
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 17, 2022
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