Donegal great Pauric McShea has taken exception to Sean Cavanagh's comments on what transpired on the field of play during last Sunday's Ulster SFC clash.

The Tyrone captain admitted that both sets of players probably overstepped the mark in Ballybofey but what particularly irked 1972 Ulster winning Donegal full-back McShea was the treatment dished out to Donegal captain Michael Murphy.

"I found Sean Cavanagh's comments about what took place on the pitch during the game simply incredible," McShea told The Irish News.

"He spoke at length about the amount of 'sledging' that went on during the game and he was also critical of referee Joe McQuillan for not clamping down on the cynical behaviour that took place.

"Cavanagh also said that he was surprised to hear that Justin McMahon, his Tyrone team-mate, was criticised for his 'roughhouse' tactics on Michael Murphy and that he hadn't seen the game back.

"This, from someone who was on the pitch, is an incredible statement ... because 17,500 spectators at the game saw McMahon's behaviour for 73 minutes in MacCumhaill Park.

"There is no ambiguity in relation to McMahon's carry-on in this encounter. From the throw-in, he hassled, pushed and dragged Murphy non-stop and it was pathetic to see him with his back to the ball and in Murphy's face.

"This behaviour was the main reason that the game was played in a hostile atmosphere and how he was allowed stay on the pitch for the duration of the match I will never know."

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