"A lot of lads don't have a National League medal, and of course if you win one with how competitive Division 1 is nowadays, it is something that is hard earned. So it would be fantastic to win it and we'll be going all out for it in two weeks' time."

Kerry won't be turning their nose up at the Division 1 silverware, insists Eamonn Fitzmaurice.

"I thought maybe we were a little bit in awe of them. I think we may have got a bit of stage fright out there."

It's back to the drawing board for Fergal O'Donnell and the Rossies.

"There's a lot today we can be happy with, a lot we did today we're not too happy with, but we have another competitive game in two weeks' time and that's what it's all about."

Darran O'Sullivan and his Kingdom team-mates will renew their rivalry with Dublin.

"By no means was it a perfect performance from us even though we did shade it by a couple of points towards the end."

Dublin have more in the tank, according to Cian O'Sullivan.

"Don't get me wrong we wanted to perform better than we did. But there wasn't the same tactical focus as you would do for another game."

Were Donegal holding something back? The answer is yes judging by Rory Gallagher's comments.

"The League's a great competition but Championship's where it's at. That's what we pride ourselves on. We feel we're a very good championship team."

Former 'Young Footballer of the Year' Ryan McHugh was singing from the same hymn sheet.

"It's a serious achievement for this team to stay in Division 1 considering all the blows we were dealt. These lads have given so much to this team in the last few years and to go back to Division 2 would have been another blow to us."

Laois hurling boss Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett exhaled a sigh of relief at the final whistle in O'Connor Park on Saturday.

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