“They mental strength they showed. Some of the tackling and the effort was inspiring, to be honest. They were superb.”

Mayo’s battling qualities shone through against Donegal and James Horan couldn’t have been more proud of his players.

“It is fairly raw at the minute and will be raw for a good number of weeks. But we will get a chance to sit down and look back at it. The lads will be bitterly disappointed because we just didn't perform.”

Declan Bonner lamented his team’s lack-lustre display in Castlebar.

“Diarmuid loves Dublin. Myself and the fellow players love him because he's so committed to the cause. And like any player, if they're performing well in training, they get the slots.”

The main talking point from Dublin’s win over Tyrone was the inclusion of Diarmuid Connolly in Jim Gavin's starting 15.

“Obviously we have been on the road for five weeks and most of our players have played most of that game time, so it was an opportunity to give them a rest and to give the players who had been looking for more game time during that run - 'here's you chance, against the top team in the country'.”

Mickey Harte explained the thinking behind his decision to field a second string against the Sky Blues.

“We're in an All-Ireland semi-final, what more do you want?”

Peter Keane’s Kerry finished top of Group 1 and now have a last four clash with Tyrone to look forward to.

“When it comes down to it, it is a results business, so we're going to have to go off and we're going to have to improve, and we're going to have to get more players up to the standard where they are capable of playing matches like that.”

Andy McEntee and Meath know they have work to do to bridge the gap to the top teams.

“This was our first Super 8s win so it is significant in that sense.”

Roscommon secured the bragging rights against Cork and Anthony Cunningham was satisfied with how his players went about their business.

“The disappointing thing is that we've done it, we've played patches of really good football at times against top teams, but not done it consistently enough throughout these games.”

After the disappointment of relegation to Division 3, Ronan McCarthy and the Rebel County can reflect on a progressive championship campaign.

"Cork football will never go away. It might take a dip the odd time, but the big thing is that when the wheel does turn, you are ready for it, and that is what we are trying to do. When the wheel does turn for us again, we are going to be ready for it.”

Keith Ricken’s courageous Cork team rallied from nine points down to claim All-Ireland U20 honours at Dublin’s expense in O’Moore Park on Saturday.

“The Munster final was a great spectacle and this is another game in this saga with these two teams. It's going to be a great occasion and a great match.”

Liam Cahill and Tipperary will renew acquaintances with Cork in this year’s All-Ireland U20 HC final which is pencilled in for Saturday, August 24.

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