What they said ... the weekend in quotes

February 08, 2016

Cassie the dog from Ballyleague, Roscommon watches the Kerry game at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.

"We were wondering would we be miles out of our depth. That was a worry, would we be miles off it? Even though we were disappointed (losing last week) we were more disappointed after we went the point up that we didn't hold on. Today we were that bit smarter at the end, more clever."

Roscommon took on board the lessons they learned in last weekend's disappointing defeat to Monaghan, according to joint-manager Fergie O'Donnell.

"They are all big games for us now. We have been in this situation before. We are not going to panic."

Eamonn Fitzmaurice isn't pressing the panic button just yet.

"It's great to have won two. That's uncharted territory for us over the last few years. It is pleasing to have two wins on the board heading into the break."

Rory Gallagher and Donegal have set a blistering early pace in Division 1.

"I would not be commiserating with me, the best team won and that was the end of it. They dominated, they were physically stronger than us, we have no excuses."

Gallagher's Cork counterpart Peadar Healy had no complaints.

"We showed good control. There's a great spirit in the camp and they're enjoying their football. I thought that showed in the final quarter when, under difficult conditions, they passed the ball around and closed the game out."

Jim Gavin was pleased with the manner in which his Dublin players went about their business in Castlebar.

"While we talk about reaction (to the Cork defeat), ultimately we didn't get the two points. We don't do moral victories in that dressing-room."

The result is all that matters to Stephen Rochford and Mayo.

"It's all about getting the points. Yes you would love good performances in doing that. But I think we saw parts of the game that we would be very pleased with."

The same can be said for Mickey Harte and the Red Hands.

"Maybe in the end we had a lot of wides that were scorable, a few frees that were scorable. I wouldn't be stretching it to say we were disappointed that we didn't get a point out of it."

Tribe boss Kevin Walsh was left to rue his side's profligacy in front of the posts.

"We weren't able to work the ball into the shooting zone and I'd put that down to a low energy in our attacking play. We scored six points and only one from play - end of story."

A lack of cutting edge up front is also a concern for Meath manager Mick O'Dowd.

"It is something we talked about as a group. We talked at half-time about the two valuable league points at stake and this run we have at Brewster. I thought the players performed with great energy and played some good football in trying conditions."

Pete McGrath and Fermanagh maintained their unbeaten run at Brewster Park which stretches back to June 2014.

"The lads showed great character. We were against the wind in the second half but we held out."

Laois enjoyed their trip to Armagh on Saturday evening and manager Mick Lillis was proud of his players' effort.

"It's unbelievable. It was a huge day for the club. To come back after (five) years and win the intermediate championship, we're delighted. I'm just delighted we showed great character."

Kerry legend Maurice Fitzgerald guided St Mary's to All-Ireland Club IFC honours on Saturday.

"For a city club like ourselves, it was the first time I'd ever heard a roar of 'Na Piarsaigh! Na Piarsaigh!' at half-time of extra-time coming from our supporters. It means everything - six coach-loads left the car park this morning but there's no point in getting there and not turning up."

Shane O'Neill and Na Piarsaigh are heading to Croke Park on St Patrick's Day.

"We're now in the final, that's where we wanted to be, in Croke Park, but we now need to push on and win it. We know we can."

Cushendall won't be content to just make up the numbers on All-Ireland Club final day, insists Neil McManus.


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