Brian Cody has escaped any formal punishment for his criticism of referee Barry Kelly.

The 10-time All Ireland winning Kilkenny manager has been warned over his future conduct after after describing the Westmeath ref's decision to award a late free to Tipperary in this year's drawn All-Ireland final as "criminal".

At a hearing at Croke Park last night, the GAA's Central Hearings Committee ruled that Cody's comments were not considered to have discredited the Association.

But he was warned to be mindful of his conduct when talking to the media in the future.