The inter-county season is just around the corner and sides are getting ready for the start of yet another exciting season of hurling with some challenge matches.
While there's no trophy or championship for these challenge matches, starting places and panel spots are up for grabs so there can be a bit of tension and players looking like they're playing for a lot.
Those tensions can spill over and it seems like that was the case today as Dublin took on Tipperary in Fethard ahead of their Allianz league campaigns. The Dubs came out 2-21 to 0-24 winners in a game which featured many inter-county regulars but people will only be talking about the incident which led to a red card for Conor Donohue.
Donohue, who plays for Erins Isle at club level was involved in a schmozzle in which it appears the Tipp player got kicked in the 'private parts' after tussling on the ground with Donohue. It was an incident that ex-Tipp man John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer wasn't impressed with on co-comms in this clip.
There was a bit of a row there and I can understand it's a pre-season game but to hit a lad into the private parts when the row is finished and it kicks off again isn't a good look for the Dublin 13 Conor Donohue.
There's a small bit of a needle there 😅
Tipperary v Dublin hurling challenge match in Fethard: pic.twitter.com/9hpaAJsWNq— Craic Of The Ash (@CraicOfTheAsh) January 18, 2025
Speaking to Clubber after the game Tipp manager Liam Cahill spoke about how a feisty affair like that can benefit his squad.
Today was a real step up for us compared to what we've played so far to date. It was vital to get that intensity into our legs...all in all, an okay performance. That being said, if we'd taken our chances it was a game we could have won as well...
He was on the sideline with newly appointed Dublin manager Niall O'Ceallacháin, who took charge of the challenge match just a day before his Na Fianna side come up against Sarsfield in the All-Ireland Club hurling final at Croke Park.
After that O'Ceallacháin will begin his tenure as Dublin manager in the league as they host Antrim next Saturday. Tipperary meanwhile begin their campaign away at Galway next Sunday.