Michael Murphy "got away with one" after receiving just a yellow card for his strike on Kerry's Dylan Casey in Donegal's National Football League final victory, according to the RTÉ GAA panel.
The 36-year-old forward, who finished with 1-05, was cautioned for the incident where he could be seen striking the Kerry defender twice with his fist.
Referee David Gough spoke to his linesman before showing a yellow card to Murphy.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Allianz League Sunday, Lee Keegan and Ciarán Whelan said it was a strange decision from the officials.
'A red card all day', 'way out of order' - Lee Keegan and Ciarán Whelan are unequivocal on Michael Murphy's combination punches in the Division 1 final
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"It’s not a question. It was the most blatant red card," said former Mayo defender Keegan.
"There’s probably no excuse, the first dig is bad, to the ribs, it’s the second one that’s probably inexcusable.
"Someone of his experience and know-how of the game, to do something like that in a game like that is probably really disappointing, and the fact that Jim [McGuinness] said he didn't see it...I could see it up in the stands, it was clear.
"Gough might be getting a bit of flak this evening. I can’t blame Gough. I don’t think he’s seen it, I think the linesman needs to be really strong there.
"It’s directly in front of him, it’s as clear a strike as you’ll get and for me it’s a red card all day."
Former Dublin midfielder Whelan added: "I agree, it’s bad, it’s a nasty one. He’ll know himself that that was way out of order.
"The strike, it was a nasty one coming in, it wasn’t once, it was kind of twice. He’s got away with one today."
