Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy has played down the significance of his sideline altercation with Brian Cody during yesterday's NHL clash at Thurles.

Sheedy, who is always an animated figure on the sideline, was seen pushing the usually reserved Cody near the end of the match when Tipp were holding onto a two-point lead.

But he said afterwards: "When the match is close like that, it's high tempo stuff. We're managers - maybe they (the players) watch our body language, but for us, it's Tipp and Kilkenny, the second round of the league.

"If we lost today, it probably finished our involvement in the league. It was important to get the two points, get back on the road. In a lot of ways, it was backs to the wall."

When questioned on the exchange, Kilkenny boss Cody said: "It was a battle of wits, as ever. No, there was no battle on the sideline.

"It was a battle for anyone out there. It was a flat out game and huge commitment from both teams. It is early in March, so it was decent stuff.

"It's a great league, so tight, we are down two points now and obviously can't afford to drop any more points." Tweet

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