Joe Quaid accused the GAA of paying lip service to developing hurling counties after his Westmeath side suffered a crushing All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final loss to Cork.

Both Westmeath and Laois were back in action yesterday, just seven days after contesting the Joe McDonagh Cup final, and while the quick turnaround didn't have an adverse effect on the O'Moore County who recorded a shock victory over Dublin, it was a very different story for Westmeath who conceded a record points tally (40) in the championship.

"It's paying lip service to the McDonagh teams to send them out seven days after a final. Basically, if they want to improve hurling with the second tier counties, they need to get a Leinster championship with two groups of four in it," the Westmeath manager told The Herald.

"Carlow this year had three or four moral victories. They're still going back (to the McDonagh Cup). Waterford and Clare shipped bigger beatings in Munster with no consequences. What happens if Kerry win the McDonagh? They have to go out the following week and play a preliminary quarter-final and then they have to go and play the bottom team in Munster after that."

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