"To come down here and beat fellas that have All-Ireland medals in their back pockets, that is very good for morale."

Monaghan and Malachy O'Rourke have a pep in their step following their four point success in Austin Stack Park.

"We had 14 wides, we just didn't do enough to deserve a win and Monaghan deserved it. We're heading up to Omagh again next weekend for a tough battle now."

Eamonn Fitzmaurice will have to rally his troops ahead of next weekend's crucial trip to Healy Park.

"We were very lucky to get the two points. The players are showing good belief and it is important that they keep going to the end."

Cork's never-say-die attitude pleased manager Brian Cuthbert.

"It is disappointing we lost the game but we didn't get a great start to the match. We conceded 1-2 or whatever, we were slow out of the blocks and we had a good few handling errors in the first 15 minutes. Maybe you look back at that and say that was costly as well."

These are trying times for Mayo and joint-manager Pat Holmes.

"From a defensive point of view, we did the business but look, until the GAA authorities do something to change the rules or whatever, unfortunately that's the way a lot of games are going. Believe me, it's not the way we want to play football."

Brian McIver said he had no option but to employ defensive tactics against Dublin.

"Our midfielders and wing-forwards were quite diligent. Our half-backs held good shape. But they also assisted the attack. I don't think we could leave here tonight saying we played defensively. I just think we had good structure. I think there's a big difference there."

Jim Gavin didn't subscribe to the theory that Dublin took to the Croke Park pitch with a defensive set-up.

"It is a very, very disappointing performance and I said to the players afterwards it was as bad a performance as I've been involved in with the Tyrone team over all the time that I've been involved - at any level and at any age."

Yesterday's lack-lustre performance against Donegal left a lot to be desired according to Mickey Harte.

"We played with a lot more quality than we have at any stage in the league. Maybe the local rivalry with Tyrone brought out the best in us. We didn't let Tyrone back into it and I was pleased with the overall attitude."

Rory Gallagher watched his Donegal side finish with 10 points to spare over the Red Hands.

"It was the character they showed. They battled for every ball. We knew what was on offer and it means we're in the promotion mix now."

Meath and Mick O'Dowd returned to winning ways against Down in Newry.

"Our form at home has not been good in terms of results or how we've been playing. That is certainly something we're going to have to correct for next week because it's a do or die one for us."

There were no home comforts for Mourne County manager Jim McCorry.

"This is a maturing side who are learning all the time but they would not be at all happy with this performance."

Despite their two-point winning margin, Armagh assistant manager Peter McDonnell wasn't happy with their performance against Louth.

"It's a precaution I would imagine but we're keeping our fingers crossed that it's nothing serious."

Peter Creedon briefed reporters on All-Star nominee Colin O'Riordan's condition after he was stretchered off against Sligo with a neck injury.

"The result was the most important thing for us today. It certainly wasn't pretty, we made heavy weather of it, given the circumstances but we are very happy with the way things unfolded in the end."

Jack Sheedy and Longford secured promotion to Division 3 with a three-point victory over 12-man Offaly.

Tweet

Most Read Stories