Limerick secured the second win of theit Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A campaign this afternoon, emerging as 0-24 to 0-19 winners over Galway in Pearse Stadium.
It was a high quality game between two very good sides, with many viewing Henry Shefflin's side as one of the most likely challengers to Limerick's throne later in the year.
They would hoped to put down a marker in this game as a result, although they were unable to do so as John Kiely's side ran out as five-point winners.
There were some quality scores over the course of the game, including this effort from Cian Lynch.
#GALvLIM 39 nóim
@Galway_GAA 0-08@LimerickCLG 0-15
Cúilín deas tuillte ag Luimneach! 👊
Cian Lynch scores his third point this game! 👌@GAA_BEO @AllianzIreland
#AllianzLeagues | #GAABEO | #GAA
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/vZVMWgSVR8— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 26, 2023
While Limerick deserved the win, there were some questions raised about one decision that went their way during the match.
Kyle Hayes gets away with blatant red card offence
Much has been said about Limerick's approach to the game, one that often brings them dangerously close to overstepping the mark in terms of the physicality that they bring and incidents of them lashing at opponents in unsavoury manners.
There was one such example this afternoon, with Kyle Hayes very lucky not to be sent off after striking out at Galway's Brian Concannon.
Despite the incident occurring directly in front of the officials, the Kildimo-Pallaskenry clubman somehow avoided the red card.
Ah here, Kyle Hayes needs to calm it down. This game got a bit wild near the end but teams will exploit his temper come championship.
Too much at stake to be losing the head like this, easy to talk from the sidelines of course. pic.twitter.com/zdUBLfiAae— hurlaway (@CraicOfTheAsh) February 26, 2023
He was very fortunate.
Those who were watching the game could not believe that the strike had gone unpunished.
Kyle Hayes deserves a ban after that.
— Ailbe O Raghallaigh (@ailbeoreilly) February 26, 2023
@dowlerznap will there be a 10 minute segment on The Sunday Game tonight about Kyle Hayes behaviour??
— GAA Tips (@GaelicGamesTips) February 26, 2023
Disgraceful that Kyle Hayes wasn’t sent off
— Liam🇮🇪 (@LiamCaron) February 26, 2023
#GALvLIM ref failing to send Kyle Hayes off after he turns around and deliberately hits a man on the head with the hurl……what an absolute disgrace. Why oh why can the #GAA not find a way to prevent this kind of poor refereeing
— Karen Dervan (@dervan8r) February 26, 2023
How is Kyle Hayes not sent off . Not even a yellow 🤣🤣
— brian hickey (@bhickey156) February 26, 2023
How the fuck did Kyle hayes not get carded at all let alone a straight red for that? #galwayvlimerick
— Jasmine Walsh (@jw81234) February 26, 2023
So an intentional strike to the head isn't a red card these days....not even a yellow. How Kyle Hayes didn't walk there is beyond me Ref and linesman in plain sight #GAA #hurling #AllianzLeagues
— Padraic Burke (@putinforthebog) February 26, 2023
Kyle Hayes knew himself the moment he did it he was in trouble but got away with it. https://t.co/F1RSNvb3Yg
— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) February 26, 2023
Should be a straight red there....and staright for that. Kyle Hayes got away lightly #GAA #TG4
— Mark O'Halloran (@ozzyfromquin) February 26, 2023
Kyle Hayes getting away with that is disgraceful
— Any (@LM__30__) February 26, 2023
No red for kyle hayes is a joke
— Conor 🇮🇪⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@ConorUTD_1) February 26, 2023
Kyle Hayes can consider himself very lucky not to be sent off there. An immensely talented player who at times plays the game very close to the edge. He'll pay the price for his recklessness one day in an important game. #Galway #Limerick #GAAHurling
— Sean O' Donovan (@henriksen1) February 26, 2023
Kyle hayes with a stone wall red card right in front of linesman and ref and not even a yellow😂
— Tomas O’Halloran (@Tomasohall01) February 26, 2023
Fairly damning.
When asked about the incident by TG4 after the game, Limerick boss John Kiely said he had yet to see a replay. He also turned down the chance to view a replay during the interview.
John Kiely, Bainisteoir @LimerickCLG 🥳@GAA_BEO @AllianzIreland
#AllianzLeagues | #GAABEO | #GAA
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/3kaUT2PEBI— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 26, 2023
From my viewpoint, he was simply putting his hand out to say the ball was for Limerick. That was my interpretation of it.
I haven't seen a clip of it, so I'll have to wait and see...
It was at the far side of the field and I haven't seen it back, so I can't comment on it as such. That was my initial impression of it at the time.
I'll get plenty of time (to look at it) during the week, don't worry.
This result was Limerick's second consecutive victory, bouncing back from their defeat to Cork in the opening round of fixtures.
While they got away with this incident, they will be hoping that a lack of discipline doesn't cost them at a more pivotal point of the year.
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