"I'm very proud, and just relieved. After a battle like that it takes a while to catch your breath and let sink in what happened. It was unbelievable, just as we knew it would be, and we were delighted to get over the line by a narrow margin."

Ten All-Ireland titles in 11 years, Dublin made life difficult for Cork captain Ciara O'Sullivan and her team-mates.

"What we said to them at half-time, that they were in a battle and that they had to be patient. We had a few wides in the second half and I thought we might lose that patience, but in the last 10 minutes they were very good and they showed their quality."

Patience was the key for Eamon Ryan and his players.

"What they have done for ladies football is to be commended. Sure, Dublin will have to beat somebody some day in the final, we know it's going to be Cork. You'd rather beat Cork in a final than somebody else."

Defeated manager Gregory McGonigle took his hat off to Cork but insisted Dublin's time will come.

"My point is that he is not a leader. In adversity, he fails."

Colm Cooper was, once again, caught in Joe Brolly's crosshairs.

"I'm not saying I am retiring, I'm just saying that I'm very much thinking about it."

Kilkenny ace Jackie Tyrell won't be rushed into making a decision about his inter-county future.

"The whole club is disgusted with this. It's sickening."

Michael Collins, chairman of Cork club Belgooly GAA, articulates the disgust of club members after vandals broke into their dressing-rooms and smeared excrement on the walls.

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