Dublin defender Jonny Cooper was very fortunate to escape a red card for a heavy challenge made during the routine win over Longford, according to The Sunday Game analyst Pat Spillane.
The All-Ireland champions coasted into the Leinster SFC final with a 19-point rout of Longford at Croke Park, with goals from Dean Rock and Paul Mannion setting the Dubs on their way to a final date with Laois.
Longford were reduced to 14 men for James McGivney’s late hit on goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton, while Spillane felt that the Dubs were fortunate not to also lose a man due to ill-discipline.
Cooper was already on a yellow card when his fist appeared to make contact with the face of Longford’s Dessie Reynolds as he bore down on goals.
"Did he deserve to be punished? I think he did," he said on The Sunday Game highlights programme.
"He was a very lucky boy today not to have been sent off"
"He led with his hand into the Longford player’s [Reynolds] face. At the very best, it was a yellow card offence. At its worst it was red.
"Jonny was very lucky to stay on the field. Jonny plays on the edge, sometimes beyond the edge. All great teams and great players do, but he will have to be very careful.
"He was a very lucky boy today not to have been sent off."
