RICHIE TOWELL CAME under fire on Monday night after he caught an opponent in the face with his boot.

Towell caught St Pat’s teen Jamie McGrath with his trailing leg during Dundalk’s 4-1 win at Oriel Park.

The Lilywhites star was booked by referee Dave McKeon and could escape retrospective action.

RTÉ Soccer Republic RTÉ Soccer Republic

Alan Cawley and Damien Richardson were highly critical when the incident was replayed on RTÉ’s Soccer Republic.

“I think there was (intent),” Cawley said.

“He could see Jamie McGrath falling to the floor, he knew where his head was and he flicked his leg back up.

We’ve waxed lyrical about Richie on this show every week. He’s been a fantastic player the past couple of years but he knew exactly what he was doing there.

“It’s poor form from him. He doesn’t need to be doing that, especially when they’re 4-1 up.”

Richardson described Towell’s actions as “petulant,” “careless,” and ”irresponsible.”

“It could very easily have resulted in a bad facial injury,” he said.

Toughness and tackles and injuries are part of the game, but not that. That’s petulant.

“It’s very unlike Richie Towell, I know.”

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