PATRICK MCCLEAN’S HEFTY tackle on Seanie Maguire during Saturday’s friendly between Waterford United and Cork City has seen a war of words break out between both camps on social media.

McClean was booked for his late tackle on the 22-year-old Cork City striker, who was stretchered off and will undergo an X-ray to assess the damage.

Cork boss John Caulfield was understandably irate after the game, calling it a “scandalous challenge.”

Skip to 2:34 to see McClean’s challenge.

“That was horrendous,” he continued. “But thankfully Seanie saw it at the last minute, he tried to skip it.

“It was a blatant sending-off and a severe ban if you looked at it properly.”

On Saturday night, McClean, who only signed for Waterford on 4 January, posted on Instagram an image of his tackle on last season’s top scorer.

Maguire responded to the post on Twitter - in a tweet that has since been deleted.

He wrote: “Few fellas boasting and posting pics about a tackle that could have broken my leg. Pathetic and disrespectful. Grow up chaps!”

James McClean, Patrick’s older brother, reposted the snap to his own Instagram with the caption: “Need to teach this kid how to tackle @patrickmcclean.”

The West Brown winger later deleted the picture, before sharing it again on Sunday.

This time his caption read: “Massive deal being made about this tackle. Clearly sees his eyes are on the ball and all this over a bruised shin.”

On a positive note for Cork, it’s believed Maguire only suffered severe bruising. He’s expected to return to action next week.

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