They Said It ....

September 2007

"It was our third semi-final and there was absolutely no way we were leaving Dublin without winning. I think we are a more experienced team than Meath. They are a work in progress as they probably admitted themselves and they probably got to this stage a bit earlier than they felt they would. But at the end of the day we have had two years where we have felt bitter disappointment at this stage. It’s a dream come true for this team because the last two years we suffered setbacks against Kerry and today we realised one of our ambitions to get to an All-Ireland final."
Cork selector John Corcoran reveals that his team had no intention of losing yet another All-Ireland semi-final

“Had we gone ahead when we had them on the run, I’m convinced we’d have won the game. We gave it our best shot and it wasn’t good enough. We have a very young team and I would be confident we can win an All-Ireland, if we stick together as a group. We’ll go to ground for the next couple of weeks and take it from there."
Alan Brogan is still convinced that this Dublin team can land the Sam Maguire trophy

"Dublin are there or thereabouts for the last four years - we’re happy to be in the final, but it’s got to be hard on them. They’re a fine team, we haven’t seen the end of them yet."
While delighted to get the in over Dublin, Kerry’s Tomas O Se knows that the Leinster champions will be a force to be reckoned with next year

"We’ve been doing it all year but not for 70 minutes. We played very well against Kerry in the second half and threw that game away. We attacked well against Louth but didn’t get much credit for it, Louth were a very good side. This was the first time we did it for the full 70 minutes and we never let up. Our fitness told in the end, we were that bit fitter than them."
Cork captain Derek Kavanagh knew that his team were capable of the type of performance that they produced against Meath

"It was just handbags stuff. The linesmen had a better view than I did and the referee booked him for it. It was an early settling down period in the game, so these things happen."
Meath manager Colm Coyle plays down Noel O’Leary’s ‘smack’ on Graham Geraghty which left the Royal County man requiring attention

“Dublin at times out there today were simply magnificent. The players have been tremendous ambassadors for the county. They put in a huge effort not just today but all season, and they came off Croke Park knowing they had put everything into winning. But it wasn’t to be. We the management team are ferociously proud of each and every one of them and the way they handled themselves. They gave it their all and I couldn’t ask for any more than that."
Although they went out of the championship, Dublin manager Paul Caffrey had nothing but pride in his team after the loss to Kerry

"It was hard, and the questions were asked of us at half-time; did we have the necessary hunger again, did we have that will to go out in the second half and take the game to Dublin? Overall we’re very pleased with the performance and the result."
Kerry boss Pat O’Shea was happy with the way his side faced up the semi-final challenge of Dublin

"Individual performances are great but look at Limerick and Waterford and see the effort and support the players are giving the management. We have some lads who are living in the comfort zone; they think they can take it handy at the beginning of the year and then step it up. These lads have been found out on big championship days because if you want to win Munster and All-Ireland titles you must put in the effort and be mentally and physically right."
Outgoing Tipp hurling selector John Leahy believes that some of the players in his county need to buck up their ideas if they want to challenge for All-Ireland honours

“The timing of my decision in the context of speculation about the Tipperary job is unfortunate but the two events are unconnected. The Tipperary board will probably head in Nicky English’s direction first. Babs wants John Leahy to take over and I believe last year’s All-Ireland minor winning manager Liam Sheedy is interested. John McIntyre is well down the pecking order."
John McIntyre indicates that his decision to step down as Offaly manager was no influenced by an opening in Tipperary

"He’s unbelievable, even the last day he’s just been a powerhouse. He’s probably the most consistent player in Ireland. It’s fantastic to play beside him. Tommy is not afraid of anyone, he’s fearless. It could be anyone, it could be a giant, it doesn’t matter to Tommy."
Cha Fitzpatrick talks up – although it probably doesn’t need to be done – his Kilkenny team mate Tommy Walsh

"Any team gets chances. You have to have the confidence to take them. We missed those chances in the Munster final. It was a different story this time. We said earlier we wouldn’t score five goals in training, never mind out on the pitch.”
Five goals won Limerick their place in the All-Ireland hurling final and it all comes down to believing you are good enough to grab a three pointer according to Andrew O’Shaughnessy

"We couldn’t afford to drop our guard for a fraction of a second, because if we did we would be buried and that’s the reality of it. Wexford are a decent team and we had to ensure that we played at a high level and to the ultimate of the lads’ ability. According to most of the experts, Wexford weren’t supposed to play in the All-Ireland semi-final. But we didn’t buy into that as we know they are a very difficult team to beat.”
Brian Cody explains that part of the reason his side managed to beat Wexford by ten points in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final was because they took the challenge of the Model men so seriously

"You’re seeing hurling at its very best at the moment and there is no doubt that the best players of all time are playing the game right now. I was here (Croke Park) 41 years ago at the All-Ireland final so I know what I’m talking about. And I’ve been awake every day of the last 41 years, so it’s not a question of me being asleep.”
Waterford boss Justin McCarthy believes the standard of hurling now is better than ever before in the history of the game

"There was never any disharmony in the camp. That was an excuse for poor performances from guys who were playing poorly. There was no such thing as disharmony when we beat Cork in Thurles."
Having stood down as manager, Babs Keating refutes any claims that there were problems in the Tipperary camp