"We were a bit disappointed with our own discipline. Regardless of when things are going against you, you just have to stay mentally strong. If you lose the head and lose control you won't peg our way back into the game but that's it."

Monaghan contributed to their own downfall in the opinion of Malachy O'Rourke.

"In fairness to the boys, they came out today and played very, very well, but we're not unrealistic. We know we played against 13 men for a long part of that game which had a big impact on the scoreboard as well, so we're not naive enough to think it's all solved."

Mayo joint manager Pat Holmes acknowledged that Monaghan's indiscipline made their job a little bit easier.

"These narrow wins are good for (the) character. We probably overplayed it a bit, there were times we went for goal and probably should have put it over the bar. But what was pleasing was the way that we created those opportunities."

Rory Gallagher and Donegal brought Cork's unbeaten run to an end in Ballyshannon.

"I said from the outset, teams would take points from each other in this division and today was a case in point."

His Rebel County counterpart Brian Cuthbert knows there is little separating the teams in the top flight.

"He has huge confidence. He's a very, very good keeper. He gives all the lads around him (confidence), even when he's talking in the dressing room and at training and that, he's just a very capable person."

Former All-Star Gary Connaughton proved he's still a top class operator between the posts against Kildare and manager Tom Cribbin highlighted his positive influence in the dressingroom.

"We're three games in. I would say after two games, that (relegation) would have sat in a lot of conversations as well. It's something that is there but we can't control that - the only thing we can control is our performance."

Jason Ryan and the Lilywhites are staring a second successive relegation in the face after suffering a third defeat.

"Obviously we'll need to look at the decisions again. They seem to me to be a bit reactionary. A lot of the opposing players seemed to put him [Kinsella] under pressure. Maybe the wrong call was made, we'll need to review the tape, and for the sending off, the player (Fitzgerald) seemed to go down quite quickly so again we'll have to have a look at that."

The actions of some Kerry players didn't sit well with Jim Gavin.

"The last two years at this stage we had zero points and we weren't getting too worried about it so we are not going to be getting carried away with the fact we have four points now."

Eamon Fitzmaurice is satisfied with the start that the Kingdom have made to this year's league campaign.

"It was a hometown decision. Decisions were going like that for the great percentage of the night against us. We had turned the ball over at the very end and our man (Fergal Doherty) was fouled on the way out. It should have been a free-kick to us and it's game over."

Referee David Coldrick incurred the wrath of Derry boss Brian McIver after he awarded a late equalising free to Tyrone in Healy Park.

"Some decisions come your way and some go against you. I don't think anyone was hard done by. I think it evened out. David Coldrick did a decent job."

Mickey Harte didn't share McIver's sentiments.

"The players wanted to prove a lot of the critics wrong as they were writing us off after a very poor first half performance against Roscommon. The criticism has been unjust given that it's a new squad of players under new management and it's very early days."

Down are a work in progress under new manager Jim McCorry.

"You'll get days like that. The last day [against Laois] we were a bit quicker. I wouldn't read an awful lot into that. It's only February. We have picked up a lot of bangs but every squad I'm sure is the same."

Cavan's Terry Hyland isn't pressing the panic button just yet.

"To be nit-picking, we missed a few opportunities as well, but 18 scores was good, and they kept plugging away. Good goals, good hard work, happy enough."

Armagh are looking good for a swift return to Division 2 and manager Kieran McGeeney declared himself happy with his players' work-rate.

"They need a full weeks rest. The likes of Pauric Mahony, he has played four top-class games in a week, two of which required extra-time. So you couldn't ask them to play again this week. I hope they make the correct decision and fix the game for a week and a half from here."

After his team's extra-time exploits, WIT manager Colm Bonnar wants his players to be given a rest before the Fitzgibbon Cup final replay.

"There are very small margins between victory and defeat. We are happy not to have been beaten."

Brian Lohan and UL live to fight another day.

"No group should feel you're the special one, you're the chosen one. There should be no elites in the GAA."

Cavan's Aogán Ó Fearghail took over as GAA President from Liam O'Neill at Congress on Saturday.

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