Shields and McMahon may pay the penalty

CORK’S Michael Shields and Dublin’s Philip McMahon face the possibility of suspensions and their boards could be handed down heavy fines after fisticuffs broke out between the players at half-time of yesterday’s Allianz Division 1 final in Croke Park.

Shields and McMahon were caught by TG4 cameras becoming embroiled in an incident in the Hogan Stand tunnel as they made their way to the dressing rooms at the interval.

Both players were shown clearly striking and attempting to strike one another as other players had to be pulled away from the fight.

If Shields and McMahon are given recommended four-week bans neither will miss the opening games of their county’s respective provincial championships.

However, the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) may consult with referee Joe McQuillan to review the video evidence and recommend longer bans.

A Category III offence, which includes “inflicting injury recklessly by means other than” stamping, kicking, head-butting carries a minimum eight-week ban.

As the unseemly fight was broadcast to hundreds of thousands of TV viewers, both boards could also be handed down fines.

Both managers last night attempted to play down the pair’s spat with Cork boss Conor Counihan saying there was nobody injured by the incident.

“It was a damp squib, as far as I’m concerned,” said Counihan who tried to make light of the matter. “I didn’t see anyone coming in who had to be lifted out of it or anything.”

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy said he doesn’t believe the incident was a serious one.

“I think there was nothing there, to be honest with you. There was a bit of pushing and shoving. I was coming in at the end of it but I think that’s all it was. I don’t think anything serious went on.”

As things stand, the Longford-proposed motion regarding the CCCC, which was passed at Congress last Saturday week, has not yet come into effect. The motion restricts the CCCC to proposing suspensions arising from incidents not seen by the referee.