"It's well documented that we've struggled to win those kinds of games. Whether you like being associated with that or not, I can't change the facts."

Tipperary manager Michael Ryan was naturally relieved to come out on the right side of a keenly contested battle.

"It has been said that we die down in tight games, but not this year. We've developed that mental toughness, we built on it throughout the league and the championship and I think we are just coming right."

Premier County midfielder Michael Breen is relishing the prospect of taking on Kilkenny in the Liam MacCarthy decider.

"Obviously, Joe is a huge presence in our team and a huge leader. And we also lost Adrian Tuohy as well. But look, testament to the lads and the squad that we have. The lads came in and put their shoulder to the wheel but unfortunately it wasn't to be today."

Micheal Donoghue refused to use Joe Canning's hamstring injury as an excuse for Galway's minimum margin defeat.

"Any person who was alive out there if they weren't animated they need to be checked out. It was frantic, it was helter-skelter, it was magnificent really. The attitude and the determination, the skill level from both teams."

Brian Cody and the Cats remain on course for a three-in-a-row.

"The overriding emotion is one of absolute pride but devastation because these chances don't come along too often. I hate to be as grim but that's my honest opinion. Ultimately it was not good enough. The best team always wins and Kilkenny were the best team."

Defeat was a bitter pill for Deise manager Derek McGrath and his players to swallow.

"Fair play to the boys the ball in today was absolutely unbelievable, you don't even need to talk to them, they just do it. It comes straight from the training field."

Kilkenny full-forward Colin Fennelly made the most of the opportunities that came his way in Thurles.

"I'm not pointing the finger at any fella, I'm just saying sometimes the underdog doesn't get as much as the champions do."

Waterford had to work harder for their frees in Dan Shanahan's opinion.

"Having reviewed the season just gone and considered the increasing personal and business demands on my time at present, I have informed Offaly County Board that I will not be in a position to continue as manager of the Senior Hurling team for 2017."

After just one year at the helm, Eamonn Kelly has called it quits with the Faithful County hurlers.

"Mayo had a very tough game against Westmeath too and that will bring both teams on, we both obviously have a lot to work on."

Greg McGonigle and Dublin will now take on Mayo in the semi-final of the TG4 All-Ireland ladies SFC thanks to their last eight win over Donegal.

"We didn't do it in the most exemplary way possible but we did it, the dream is still alive."

Frank Browne and Mayo registered a 2-10 to 1-11 quarter-final victory over the Lake County.

 

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