"We are paying the price for one very bad display, in terms of the scoring side of it. That it is the way it is."

The heavy defeat that Cork shipped at the hands of Roscommon came back to haunt them yesterday, according to selector Eoghan O'Neill.

"I know a good few players have played in the league, well into the 30s which is good, so from that point of view we are happy."

Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Kerry will renew acquaintances with surprise packets Roscommon at the semi-final stages.

"Never doubted him for a minute."

Monaghan manager Malachy O'Rourke had confidence in defender Colin Walshe's shooting ability!

"We asked them to empty the tank, and that is exactly the feeling we have in the dressing-room - that everybody, in the second half gave us whatever they had. And I can't ask any more than that."

Kevin McStay couldn't have asked for any more from his Roscommon players.

"It was going to be difficult against a very good Roscommon side in difficult conditions, and to put players into that bearpit and come out with a victory is very satisfying."

Jim Gavin and the Dubs continued their winning ways.

"Down are a very proud GAA county and certainly coming to Mayo, they weren't just fulfilling a fixture. They wanted to deliver some sort of a platform for their campaign as they head to Clones in a few weeks' time."

Relegated Down made Stephen Rochford and Mayo sweat for their victory.

"They battled really, really hard, a very encouraging performance from our fellas."

Eamonn Burns couldn't fault his team for effort against the Connacht champions.

"They are at an age where if they step up and perform to their ability then they should be there for a number of years but it's up to them to step up and do that."

Cavan have the ability to ruffle some feathers in the top flight next year, says Terry Hyland.

"I can't say a word about the second half because we put in a really strong effort, we kept in touch but could not get ahead."

Galway took their eye off the ball in the first-half but Kevin Walsh was happier with their second-half display.

"Apart from that game, we've been competitive. We've turned things around since then and are playing better football. You could point to the Galway game or the Laois game (which they lost), but all I can say is that I'm happy with Armagh."

The 17-point defeat against Cavan proved costly for Kieran McGeeney and Armagh.

"It's very cruel on the likes of Armagh but that's the story of this division, fine margins."

Damian Barton and Derry survived despite falling to a six-point defeat against the Orchard County.

"To gain a stake in this game for us, it was going to take energy, it was going to take manliness, composure, it was going to take grit. It was going to take character and I really think we had all of those qualities in abundance here today."

Fermanagh shared the spoils with Tyrone and Pete McGrath was fulsome in his praise of his players.

"They are a more mature side. We probably had four or five lads that finished the game today who are doing their Leaving Cert. We knew they were going to be physically stronger."

Dessie Farrell guided Dublin to a third Leinster U-21 success in-a-row at Kildare's expense.

"David Clifford reminds me every day at training of no one else but Maurice Fitzgerald. I can see it in him."

No pressure then! St Brendan's manager Gary McGrath compared his Hogan Cup winning hero to a Kingdom legend.

Tweet

Most Read Stories