What they said … the weekend in quotes

January 08, 2018

Spectators await the Connacht FBD FL clash between Mayo and Galway at MacHale Park, Castlebar, only for the game to be called off prior to throw-in.
©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

"You'd think that by 11.0 this morning you'd know if it was playable or not before people left home."

It turned out to be a wasted trip to Castlebar for Galway manager Kevin Walsh and his players - not to mention the Tribesmen's loyal supporters.

"It appears they gave it every chance with the high sun in the sky. Eventually they decided that it wasn't improving sufficiently so they decided to call it off. Part of the problem in Castlebar is that you've got a big stand which stops the sun getting at the whole pitch. We'll have to have a review in the morning but it's unfortunate because it was a late call."

Connacht Council secretary John Prenty explained why the decision to pull the plug on the game took so long.

"It's far from ideal but it was the right call, you have to look after the players first. It is going to be tough now because it tightens things up a bit. Whoever gets through to the semi-finals is going to have to play three games in seven days."

The Armagh versus Derry Dr McKenna Cup clash also fell victim to the weather but Orchard County boss Kieran McGeeney had no complaints.

"We will be without Seamie O'Shea with a knee injury for the vast majority if not all of the League. Donal Vaughan has got a problem that will reduce his participation and he will probably not play in it. Chris Barrett picked up an injury coming off the International Rules which will keep him out for a last the first four games."

Mayo manager Stephen Rochford has plenty of injury headaches ahead of their Division 1 campaign.

"We've put a good workload on them this week. And to get that sort of effort out of them today… you're going to make mistakes out there when you're working that hard but it's great to see the effort."

After finishing second best to Tipperary in a challenge on Saturday, Pat Gilroy and Dublin made it two wins from two in the Walsh Cup.

"I think the lads might admit that probably the first 10 minutes, they were a little bit overawed by the whole thing and paid them too much respect."

Kildare took on the mighty Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup and manager Joe Quaid gave this thoughts on their 19-point defeat.

"We pulled away in the end and, you know, the reality is we should be pulling away a bit because there are different levels there."

Brian Cody and the Cats advanced to a last four date with Offaly.

"A lot of the new faces that hadn't put on a Meath shirt before, certainly not at senior level, I thought they applied themselves well."

Andy McEntee and Meath scored a comprehensive 4-19 to 0-13 O'Byrne Cup victory over Wicklow.

"I honestly didn't look at the score in the second half. I was just asking more of our own players of a fine sunny day up here in Pairc Tailteann to go out and play the football we are trying to do in training and it was grand to see them try and do it in the second half."

McEntee's Wicklow counterpart John Evans took some consolation from his team's second-half display.

"We are preparing for a really difficult league campaign. We have four games away from home, there at home. Division 3 this year is very tough, so we'd be happy enough that we played better than last week."

Paul McLoughlin's Wexford charges bounced back from an opening round defeat to Offaly to get the better of holders Dublin.

"I've been lucky to be involved for a long time as a player, as a coach and as a long time supporter. It was great to be asked to be involved by Jim Gavin and to work with a great elite group of players. To say goodbye to it and the campaign being over is disappointing."

Dublin failed to replicate last year's success under Paul Clarke.

"The level of commitment they are asking is basically give up drink for the entire year. No other sport is asking you to do that. If I was 18, you want to socialise, and someone says we have a game in eight or 10 weeks, we have to get off the beer."

Former Tipperary hurler Kieran Bergin lifted the lid on life as an inter-county player.


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