Cody comes to Larkin's defence

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody spoke out in support of Eoin Larkin following his sending-off in yesterday's Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final at Croke Park.

Match referee Michael Wadding reached for his red card when Larkin was seen to strike out at Dublin's Conor McCormack as the players tangled in the 25th minute.

The Kilkenny forward is facing a suspension of at least four weeks now from the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee.

The 14-man Cats struggled to contain the Dubs, who led by 0-11 to 1-02 at half-time and ran out comfortable 0-22 to 1-07 winners in the end.

Commenting on the Larkin incident afterwards, Cody said: "I didn't think it was a sending-off, absolutely not.

"He turned, he reacted like that (with his arms out). There was no strike involved with that. That's a pushing motion.

"Certainly, I would have a problem with that. It's frustrating because Eoin is one of the cleanest players I've ever, ever been associated with.

"I don't have a problem with the referee's performance. I think the referee went on the word of a linesman."

Kilkenny corner back John Dalton could also be sanctioned after he floored McCormack with a heavy challenge off the ball. Just moments earlier, McCormack had had a goal disallowed.

Cody, whose side are back in action in a Leinster Championship semi-final on June 11, added: "It certainly wasn't a dirty game by any means at all.

"I've no idea what happened at all at the end of the first half (between Dalton and McCormack). In fairness, Dublin should have had a goal I thought."