Should Davy Fitz be reprimanded?

Last Sunday Tipperary overcame a resurgent Wexford after a late flurry of goals in Nowlan Park. Up until the final quarter, the Leinster men kept within touching distance of the All Ireland champions.

Similar to the great Kilkenny teams of the past, Tipp’s ability to strike goals proved crucial as they now face Galway in the League Final next Sunday.

In the wake of the game, Davy Fitz spoke about Tipp and the progress they have made over the past 12 months, passing Kilkenny to become the benchmark in hurling.

However, the game wont be remembered for Tipp’s late flurry of goals or the massive improvements Wexford have made this Spring. It will instead be remembered for Davy Fitz on field cameo after Tipperary’s second goal.

So incensed by the decision to not punish Niall O’Meara in the build up to the goal, Fitzgerald charged onto the field to confront referee Diarmuid Kirwin. On his way off the field Fitzgerald also made himself aware to some of the Tipperary players.

When asked about the incident after the game, Fitzgerald acknowledged that he wouldn’t do something similar again, but did not regret his decision to enter the field giving his reasons for such in the video below.

Fitz is yet to be sanctioned over the incident but he feels he shouldn’t and wont be. If he is failed to be punished, the GAA would be setting a controversial precedent.

Whilst majority of Inter County managers wouldn’t dare cross the white wash, there are more like Davy who would have no problems getting involved in the game if they felt needs be.

Fitzgerald showed blatant disrespect to the officials and both set of players by charging onto the field. Whether his reasoning to do such a thing was wrong or not, what he did was unacceptable and he should face a punishment fitting for his actions.

The reaction across social media was mixed. Some felt Davy showed pure passion and was right to appeal the decision. Others saw his actions as out of order and highly disrespectful.

Personally, Id take Davy Fitz shouting & going onto pitch in anger over Liam Dunne lack of passion & beaming smile after every loss #Wexford

— Chris Traynor (@PerformTraynor) April 16, 2017

And Davy Fitz wasn't sent off? So precedent set? Manager who doesn't like call can charge on, get involved with players, all is good? #GAA

— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) April 16, 2017

At the end of the day, whilst Davy Fitzgerald is a character of the game, what he did has no place in the GAA, and he must be sanctioned accordingly.