Limerick's decision to leave Séamus Flanagan out of their match-day panel at the weekend will serve as a reminder to everyone the importance of discipline, according to Shane McGrath.
Manager John Kiely revealed in the aftermath of the four-point victory over Tipperary on Sunday that the five-time All-Ireland winner was not considered due to an "internal matter".
During the Treaty men’s draw with Cork the previous Saturday, the Feohanagh-Castlemahon player was caught on a spectator’s camera using the butt of his hurl on Cork defender Niall O’Leary in an off-the-ball incident.
Kiely said Flanagan "regrets" an incident in last Saturday's draw with Cork where video footage taken by a spectator showed him using the butt of his hurl on Cork defender Niall O'Leary, the force of which and the particular point of contact brought O'Leary to the ground.
The GAA's Central Competition Controls Committee (CCCC) investigated the incident, but it is believed that without footage from the official broadcast they were reluctant to lay a charge against the 28-year-old.
Limerick took their own action, with Kiely telling reporters it was "poor" from his player to engage in such an act against an opponent, adding that Flanagan had "regrets" over the incident.
He is expected to be available for selection for Limerick’s next game in 1A, a trip to Nowlan Park on 23 February to take on Kilkenny.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, former Tipperary player McGrath said it was a "win-win" situation for the Treaty men.
Flanagan lost out to Shane O’Brien for a starting spot in last year’s Munster final before getting back into the team for the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Cork and McGrath says that the forward, and indeed the entire Limerick panel, will feel they must up their game to wrestle back Liam MacCarthy Shannonside.
"The punishment has been served. It’s hard to see anything else put on top of that," he said.
"It’s a great learning for him, but it’s probably taught everyone else a lesson that you just can’t get away with anything now.
"What you think you can get away with, you literally can’t now.
"What he did was wrong, he knows that and he’s got his punishment."
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Watch Kerry v Dublin in the Allianz Football League on Saturday from 7.20pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch Allianz League Sunday from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates around the country on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
