What they said ... the weekend in quotes

June 13, 2016

Tipperary's Michael Quinlivan and Kevin O'Halloran celebrate with supporters after their Munster SFC semi-final victory over Cork at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

"I'm just thrilled for players that they managed to break the ceiling - 1944 is a ridiculous amount of time not to be beating a county so it's great to have done it."

Tipperary pulled off the first shock of the gaelic football summer and manager Liam Kearns will be hoping they can repeat the trick against Kerry.

"I'm not going to say anything about any of my players - we have a lot of work to do and we'll have to look forward to the Qualifiers and that's it."

A disconsolate Peadar Healy has a big job on his hands as he attempts to turn the Rebels' fortunes around.

"Absolutely, we could have been better and there are areas to work on but we have great context for our training in the next couple of weeks and [we have to] get right for the Munster final. From my point of view it's fantastic to be getting your teeth into stuff like that."

Despite finishing with 12 points to spare over Clare, Eamonn Fitzmaurice believes his Kerry team has room for improvement.

"The first goal was ridiculous, a terrible goal to concede. And in the build-up to the second one we were found wanting as well - a couple of people should have worked a lot harder. But teams like Kerry, that's what they do."

The Banner County's defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by the Kingdom according to Colm Collins.

"There's only five of last year's team that started against Sligo started today. The people of Roscommon just have to be patient and let these fellas get themselves grounded at this level of football."

Ahead of their upcoming Connacht SFC final against the winners of Mayo and Galway, Kevin McStay urged Roscommon supporters to keep their feet on the ground.

"We were eight points up but I suppose after losing Charlie Harrison and Adrian Marren in the first half it was always going to be difficult."

Sligo manager Niall Carew lamented the loss of two experienced players.

"I thought I heard a whistle for a free out and Neil is adamant that he heard a whistle for a free out and then he kind of shrugged his man off."

Neil McGee's sending-off was questioned by Donegal manager Rory Gallagher.

"Donegal had a lot of gamesmanship out there today whether you like it or not."

Donegal's approach didn't go down well with Fermanagh boss Pete McGrath.

"We have the All-Ireland champions, the benchmark for everyone in the country to come. Twenty points? You'd want to be adding a couple of goals as well."

After a workmanlike win over the Wee County, Mick O'Dowd is turning his attention to the Dubs.

"It's ridiculous really. It's totally off-the-wall stuff. To ask guys to go out six days after that, it doesn't make sense."

Spare a thought for Louth and Colin Kelly who now face the unenviable prospect of a trip to Owenbeg next Saturday for a qualifier clash with Derry.

"There was a lot of pressure on us because we knew we under-performed in the League. Management was very disappointed with themselves, and the players were disappointed with themselves."

Tom Cribbin and Westmeath booked a Leinster SFC semi-final date with Kildare.

"Graham Guilfoyle was taken down and might have got a penalty. Then the referee decides to give him a black card. To me, he made a tackle and slipped. Those decisions turn games and when you're in the opposing ground, they always seem to go with the local team."

The performance of referee Padraig O'Sullivan was put under the spotlight by Offaly's Pat Flanagan.

"1-5 is a very good return for any forward, and the scores were obviously very well taken. Jonjo has been an important member of our panel for a few years now, a hugely committed player, and it is great to see him do so well."

Championship debutant Jonjo Farrell seized his opportunity to impress Brian Cody.

"We felt we were in a good position. We were looking for a bit of momentum early in the second-half, get a few scores and asked questions of Kilkenny but instead the opposite happened."

The wheels came off the wagon in the second-half for Ger Cunningham and the Dublin hurlers.


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