It was just like old times when Dan Shanahan and Diarmuid 'The Rock' O'Sullivan crossed paths on the field during yesterday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final.

Once fierce playing rivals, the legendary pair - who are now selectors with their respective counties - were involved in some verbals during a break in play before being sent back to the sideline by referee James Owens.

Shanahan played down the 21st minute flashpoint when saying: "It was a bit like our playing days. To win these games you have to try to win every battle. 

"There was no harm in it, tit-for-tat, he was doing his job for his team and I was doing my job. He was watching his players, I was watching mine and that's the way it has always been with me and Sully. 

"I have the utmost respect for him, I shake hands with every Cork player after matches and if they had beaten us I'd have shaken Sully's hand like I did after the Munster game. That's the way it is. You take the good with the bad and today was a good day." 

So what did the referee say to them when he called them over?

A smiling 'Big Dan' revealed: "Oh, 'Any more of that and the two of you will be up in the stands'. The officials are probably saying that to me the whole time. But it's very hard to get your point across to your full-back line or half-back line lads on the opposite side of the field. You have to cross boundaries are a bit. 

"It's wicked hard for me. I have Derek (McGrath) behind me roaring at me to get on the field to do it - and the fourth official roaring at me to get off the field.  It's wicked hard because 72,000 people are out there, it's very hard to get your points across to the lads to do this and that. 

"But, again, it worked out today. Cork are after having a great year, they're Munster champions, so they are and they have a trophy. We have to go on now and push on and get a trophy".

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