Westmeath manager Tom Cribbin has admitted that enticing Diarmuid Connolly was a tactic his team had carried into today's Leinster SFC final.

Connolly and opponent James Dolan were involved in a flashpoint approaching the half-hour mark which saw both men booked after the Dublin centre-forward seemed to have grabbed Dolan in a headlock and flung him to the ground, resulting in a mini-melee to ensue between both sets of players.

Following his side's 2-19 to 0-10 defeat at the hands of the All-Ireland champions, a candid Cribbin admitted that the St Vincent's man was targeted heading into the provincial decider.

"Look, Diarmuid is a fabulous player. He can get a bit excited at times and probably we were looking for him to," Cribbin admitted afterwards.

"We have to be fair, we have to be honest: We were hoping to try and get someone to entice him, sure that's what most teams do.

"But he's a fabulous footballer. Just fabulous. One of the best in the country, if not the best."

Speaking at the post-match press conference at Croke Park afterwards, counterpart Jim Gavin said he felt a caution for both players from referee Fergal Kelly was the right punishment.

"It wouldn't be the first time that we've seen it," said the Dublin boss. "Their number seven (James Dolan) raised his hand and made contact with Diarmuid's head. I thought the officials managed the game very well in general.

"Some of our boys reacted and spoke out to the referee and they moved the ball forward and I think they might've got a point from it so that's what you want to see.

"Good decisive refereeing but we expect our players to stand up for themselves as well. Both of them got a yellow card and I think that was a fair assessment of that particular incident."

Here's footage of the incident below thanks to @OnePaulie: 

Just another Sunday in the GAAhttps://t.co/OInjQ7iKcP

- Paul (@OnePaulie) July 17, 2016

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