Dublin v Limerick decision questioned as 'unusual' tactic highlighted
Dónal Óg Cusack believes Dublin were lucky not to have a black card on top of the red Chris Crummey was shown after his elbow connected with Gearóid Hegarty.
Niall Ó Ceallacháin's men recorded a shock win over John Kiely's side, with the victory all the more remarkable given Dublin played most of the game with 14 men.
On RTE's post-match analysis, Joanne Cantwell asked if Limerick should have had a penalty and a black card given to Dublin over a deliberate drag down and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity after Cathal O'Neill was brought down by John Bellew.
In response, Cusack said: "What's the black card about? Why was it brought in?
"Dublin on one of the few occasions lost their men... there was no question here. Cathal O'Neill just loses his man and Dublin get drawn in. One of the few mistakes that (Conor) Burke made during the day. He wasn't conscious of him behind him, got lost, (Cian) Lynch done what Lynch does so well, picks him out and Dublin are scrambling to make the cover.
"No question. It should have been a black card. It's the second time I've said it and we said it a few weeks ago as well, why was the rule brought in at all?"
But Cusack was full of praise for Dublin, stating that the result was 'good for hurling'.
'How many times have we seen Dublin followers drifting in to see a Dublin hurling team get their last rites?," he asked.
'It's a great day. It's a great day for Dublin hurling, but it's also good for hurling.
'We've spoken about it for years. It would be brilliant to see a strong Dublin team, a full Hill 16 all there on time supporting Dublin in an All-Ireland final, will only do the game well.'
Cusack also paid tribute to Limerick, saying: "There's a team there now after losing that have done as much as anyone for the game of hurling. Isn't it amazing when you get knocked off your stride, when you lose your balance, that it's hard to get back on the horse again."
Meanwhile, Joe Canning questioned Limerick's decision to keep to their zonal defense after Dublin went down to 14 men.
"We can't overestimate, or maybe underestimate, I'm not sure which is the right word, how Limerick kept to their zonal defense and didn't go man-to-man, and allow them to push on a little bit more," said the former Galway star. "It actually looked like Dublin had the spare man in that second half.
"It's very unusual for a Limerick team to sit off a little bit, especially in their forwards. I don't think they got many turnovers on the Dublin fullback line or half back line."
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