"It is great to win a league title and in such a great game but we
know we still have a lot of work to do ahead of the championship. It’s
only the middle of April. I’m not going to get carried away. There’s
nobody in that dressing room going to get carried away, we’ve an awful
lot of work to do to get ready for June. But it’s nice to finish the
league with a trophy."
Tipperary boss Liam Sheedy is not getting carried away after his charges
won the NHL title
"It’s a blow to for this team. The team is a lot better than the
league performances show, but the reality is that the team didn’t perform.
Too many of our good players are playing below par. And not many of the
other lads are playing as they should be. And that’s across the board.”
Sligo’s Eamonn O’Hara bemoans his side’s relegation
to Division 4 of the NFL, little over eight months since they won the Connacht
SFC
“Last season I just wasn’t sure if I had anything left to offer
at inter-county level. There are a lot of miles on the clock and the forwards
all seem to be getting younger. Basically, you question yourself and wonder
if you’re up to it anymore.”
Ollie Canning explains some of the reservations he had before deciding
to return to intercounty hurling with Galway
“I’m very excited about the year ahead. This year in Galway I’ve
really enjoyed doing the job, right since we started training last October.
The atmosphere could not be better. And the quality of the lads we have
in and the whole backroom team, it’s all been excellent.”
Galway boss Ger Loughnane explains that he is really enjoying the
challenges that lie ahead for the Tribesmen this year
"If there was one type of game that won you matches, it would be great
- we’d all play that way but there’s not. You have to be able
to change and adapt under pressure. The fundamental thing all great teams
need is that when things are going against you, you have to be able to change.”
Kieran McGeeney explains that Kildare are learning to adapt their
game, rather than just concentrate on the short running game
"You’re going to be down after relegation but when the championship
comes around we’ll be hitting top form. We’ll put the league behind
us because you have to do that after a bad patch. Come May and June, things
will be different on the pitch for Laois."
Laois’ Aidan Fennelly believes we will all see a different O’Moore
County side come the summer, with their poor early season form forgotten