Sunday's mammoth Munster Hurling Championship clash between Limerick and Waterford had all the ingredients to be a modern day classic. Two of the most high profile coaches in the game going head to head, with Waterford keen to cause an upset against hurling's most dominant force of recent times.
Despite the game having a number of talking points and some fine hurling on show, sadly, the game was overshadowed by a number of incidents which have no place in the game.
Limerick did manage to scrape past a valiant Waterford effort to win 1-18 to 0-19, but it was this late challenge from Seamus Flanagan to the head of Waterford's Stephen Bennett which caused a divide in the GAA world.
READ ALSO: Shane Dowling's Comments On Seamus Flanagan Incident Provoke Strong Reaction
Half-time: Waterford 0-10 Limerick 1-11
Stephen Bennett needed attention towards the end of a feisty first half at Semple Stadium.
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Referee Liam Gordon decided that the hit didn't even warrant a yellow card and Seamus Flanagan remained on the pitch for the rest of the game.
The Irish Independent is reporting that Seamus Flanagan is set to get away with the challenge.
The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) did take action against two Limerick players already this year, with Kyle Hayes and Will O'Donoghue both being banned, but it's believed that the CCCC's attention will be on investigating the incident between a member of the Waterford backroom panel who struck Gearoid Hegarty.
The CCCC are believed to be weighing up a 'lengthy suspension' for the member of the backroom staff who was sent off for his strike on Hegarty.
Jackie Tyrell thinks Seamus Flanagan should be facing a ban
Nine-time All-Ireland winner Jackie Tyrell is of the opinion that Seamus Flanagan should be in trouble for the rest of the Munster Championship campaign and expected the GAA to intervene with a ban.
Speaking on RTE GAA podcast before news that Flanagan had escaped a ban, Jackie Tyrell said:
The Seamus Flanagan one, it was late. I did feel there was intent there and I felt Seamus Flanagan should have got a straight red and I do subsequently think he will receive a ban.
I do expect some action to come. If you think of Will O'Donoghue who got a ban after the Tipperary game, I do feel Seamus Flanagan could be under pressure and probably could be banned. I'm not sure what the ban will look like, it just didn't look good at all.
Look, the slow-mo angle doesn't do him any favours and I don't think it's fair to really judge him on that but you know he did catch Stephen Bennett.
It's certainly not a great look for the CCCC and the GAA with focus on head contact and concussion being a priority in other sports.
Rugby has come under scrutiny for referees failing to give red cards to high hits and tackles, but have been quick to rectify on field mistakes by giving out bans after the final whistle.
The GAA will likely come under fire for the decision, but Limerick fans and Seamus Flanagan himself will be counting their lucky stars that he will be available for the rest of the Munster Championship and Saturday's clash against Clare.
SEE ALSO: Watch: Huge Controversy As Waterford Mentor Sent Off For Striking Gearóid Hegarty
