"It was a good win and a good display. It is great that these young players are bedding in because if you look at our team, there is an awful lot of new players there."

Brian Cody and the Cats are up and running in Division 1A.

"We're in deep trouble regarding relegation, there's no doubt about that. I've been saying that we are following a process but we targeted a big performance in this game and there's no way around it, we didn't get it in terms of intensity."

Relegation looms large for Derek McGrath and the Deise who are rooted to the bottom of the table following a third loss in as many games.

"The new lads that came in today certainly put their hands up. We have to use the League to give the younger lads and the new lads an opportunity. We will continue to do that."

Galway boss Micheal Donoghue is using the league to experiment.

"Galway are All-Ireland champions and they have that bit of class. They are able to open you up in a few minutes."

Offaly manager Kevin Martin took his hat off to the Tribesmen.

"The right kind of headlines this year. He's an exceptional finisher, and he's proven that yet again."

After last year's on-field altercation with Davy Fitzgerald, Jason Forde hit the Model County for 2-9 on Saturday evening and Tipp manager Michael Ryan was delighted with his performance.

"The most important thing for Wexford is, we were odds on to go down. We lost tonight. We still might go down. But we're able to compete. We're not throwing in the towel. We're not afraid. That's very big for these lads."

Davy Fitzgerald was looking at the bigger picture following their defeat in Thurles.

"We wanted to set out our stall and do well. This time last year we were probably playing catch up and on the back foot."

Clare placed a big emphasis on the league this year, according to joint-manager Donal Moloney, and the plan has worked well so far.

"We didn't play at all for the last 20 minutes of the first half, that was really it. Clare hit a purple patch and they got some really good scores, their support play was better, their touch was better, they were sharper."

Cork's John Meyler had no complaints at the final whistle in Ennis.

"When we came into this we realised the task was huge. The team was coming from a difficult place. We are putting in savage training and it's going to take time. This isn't going to switch overnight into being a top-four team."

Life in the Dublin hurling hot-seat is proving tough but Pat Gilroy knew what he was letting himself in for.

"We move on, we have a very difficult assignment next weekend because UL are playing in the Fitzgibbon Cup and we are going to Antrim on Saturday. That gives us a very limited panel. But it's a great challenge. It's a character test and a test of the depth."

Treaty County boss John Kiely has turned his attention to the Saffrons.

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