"All over Ireland people would come to see Tyrone and Derry play and it's life and death. We are all one big family but when it comes to Derry and Tyrone, that makes football."

No quarters are asked or given when the two Ulster rivals clash and Derry assistant manager Tony Scullion wouldn't have it any other way.

"You would need a month's training to deal with that kind of pressure and intensity."

The McKenna Cup has served its purpose for Mickey Harte and Tyrone.

"When games are in the melting pot, and there's a bit of pandemonium, it's good to get into the habit of keeping your head and making good decisions in the heat of the battle, and I think we did that."

Mattie Donnelly and his Red Hand team-mates refused to press the panic button in the Athletic Grounds.

"Look, this is just a stepping stone, as we know. The season begins next Sunday (against Armagh) so we need to be ready to move on."

The hard work begins now for Meath manager Mick O'Dowd and his players.

"At times we looked very poor today. We looked jaded tired, exhausted. I don't think we're that bad. Maybe we weren't as good as we looked last week either."

Longford boss Denis Connerton is switching his attention to their league opener against Offaly.

"This sort of competition is very useful. It might start off as a way of getting rid of the Christmas turkey but the longer you can stay in it, the more you learn about players."

Kevin Walsh guided Galway to FBD League honours in Tuam.

"I'd be happy enough with the second half but that's the second game where we didn't really perform in the first half. Still, we've seen quite a few players this month in high-tempo games. Now everything turns towards next Sunday."

Looking ahead to the future, preserving Roscommon's Division 1 status is the main aim for Kevin McStay and his management team.

"It's a great opportunity for some of the younger guys to come on and play a game in Croke Park next weekend and it's great for us to be able to see them in that atmosphere."

Dublin's reward for their nine point victory over Galway is a Walsh Cup final date with Wexford in Croker and Ger Cunningham is looking forward to the challenge.

"We knew coming up that we would be a bit off the pace. We would have loved to have gotten to Croke Park next week but we knew coming into the job that we were a bit behind the black ball. But we'll make it up."

Galway's hurlers are playing catch up due to the late appointment of Micheál Donoghue as manager.

"I spoke with the referee before the game and told him I would have no difficulty should he have to call off the game. The conditions were horrendous for hurling, but we executed our game-plan well. We got a firm grip in midfield. We always had control of the game."

Despite the inclement conditions, Liam Dunne was pleased with the manner of his side's 0-14 to 0-6 victory over Offaly.

"A win is a win, we ground it out and it was great to get a win. There's nothing between the teams there tonight. You can tell I am not over excited by anything. I am just happy to get the win."

Davy Fitzgerald wasn't getting carried away following Clare's Munster SHL success over Limerick.

"These boys are heading in the right direction for sure. A couple played well. These boys are very good, they have given the whole thing a lift."

The newcomers to the Limerick squad have impressed manager TJ Ryan.

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