Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae has accused Minister for Transport and Sport Shane Ross of trying to "make a man of himself" after the Minister tweeted a suggestion that Healy-Rae had wasted his All-Ireland final ticket.
A picture of Healy-Rae circulated online after Sunday's game. On the field, Limerick overcame Galway to end a 45-year wait for the Liam McCarthy cup. However, an image seemed to show the Kerry politician asleep in his Hogan Stand seat and on Monday Minister Ross asked was it a 'waste of a good ticket?'
Is this a waste of a good ticket?!! pic.twitter.com/oKYXLIN9gl
— Shane Ross (@Ross_Shane1) August 20, 2018
Speaking to RTE, Mr Healy-Rae said he merely closed his eyes for a couple of minutes at half-time during the minor final after he had been up coordinating a bus for patients who need cataracts operations from his native Kerry to Belfast.
I did nothing wrong by closing my eyes for a few minutes. I've been working hard all summer helping people.
Danny Healy-Rae, who does not drink, had also been celebrating Kilgarvan's intermediate county hurling final success the night before.