RTÉ pundits Pat Spillane and Oisin McConville have hit out at the ugly scenes which marred Galway’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Armagh in Croke Park.
The sides finished level at the end of normal time as Aidan Nugent and Conor Turbitt plundered crucial goals as the Orchard County battled back having trailed by six points late in the second half having also lost defender Greg McCabe to a red card on the hour mark.
Yet, both teams were involved in a melee as they made their way off the pitch with Galway forward Damien Comer suffering an alleged eye-gouge.
Referee David Coldrick remained on the pitch during the break and had discussions with his team of officials before deciding to issue red cards of Galway skipper Seán Kelly and his Armagh counterpart Aidan Nugent.
Galway subsequently claimed a 4-1 win in the penalty shoot-out after Rory Grugan and Cillian McDade had traded goals in extra-time.
However, RTÉ pundit Pat Spillane was critical of both teams following the ugly melee at the end of normal time.
"We should be here praising a great game but we're looking at disgraceful scenes,” said Spillane.
"Shame on all the players involved. There was a gouging incident. This is terrible and it's a shame on all the players.
"We have so many rules and regulations here. There's a million rules and regulations and you send two teams running into the same spot straight after full-time. It's crazy and you have fellas who are not subs involved.
"The possible eye-gouging was done by a fella who's not on the official panel. That was disgraceful, scandalous and shame on all involved."
Former Armagh star McConville added: "It's scenes that we shouldn't hide behind regardless of what county's involved.
"People talk about unsavoury - it's not. It's disgusting. It's something that we just don't want to see, simple as that."
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