14 minutes into Tipperary and Limerick's Munster Hurling Championship semi-final on Sunday, John O'Dwyer saw red - both figuratively and literally.
After receiving a tap on the wrist from Richie English, Bubbles turned to give the Limerick corner back a nasty dig to the gut with his hurley.
Referee John McGrath took just moments to decide that the Tipp forward should be sent-off.
Despite being down to 14 players for 56 minutes, Tipp would easily go on to win. The two-point gap between the sides at the final whistle flattered Limerick.
Tipp's cause was aided by three first half goals - two of them coming from Michael Breen.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Breen told of a 'powerful' half time speech from John O'Dwyer which spurred on their performance. Tipp led Limerick by three at the half.
Bubbles spoke at half-time and he spoke powerfully.
It was unfortunate to lose such a good player, but we had to just put the shoulder to the wheel. Bubbles came in at half-time and told us to do it for ourselves. We did ourselves justice after that.
Bubbles is winning us games day in, day out. It was unfortunate for him but he put his own disappointment aside to come into us at half-time and drive us on for the second-half. That took something.
Breen called O'Dwyer's sending off 'unfortunate'. There was nothing unfortunate about the incident. It was rash and unnecessary from the player. Had he kept his head, the half time speech would not have been required and Tipp would undoubtedly have won by a larger margin with Bubbles on the pitch.
Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
