What they said ... the football weekend in quotes

July 11, 2016

Longford's Liam Connerton celebrates the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2B victory over Monaghan at St Tiernach's Park, Clones ©INPHO/Presseye/Andrew Paton

"It was very tactical. But I think a lot of it was down to the way both teams set up."

The standard of football on display in the Connacht SFC final wasn't pleasing on the eye but all that concerns Tribe mananger Kevin Walsh is next Saturday's replay.

"We are delighted with a replay. We have a lot to figure out."

Donie Smith came to the Rossies' rescue and joint-manager Kevin McStay has plenty of food for thought this week.

"The referee bought it hook, line and sinker and it was the defining moment of the game."

Pete McGrath didn't mince his words when it came to Mayo's controversial penalty.

"If he has caught a break it's not before time."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, McGrath's Mayo counterpart Stephen Rochford jumped to Aidan O'Shea's defence.

"They've dedicated themselves to the task and they've worked really hard at it. And this is a testament to the work they've done."

The hard work paid off for Denis Connerton and Longford in Clones.

"We're not going to make excuses. We didn't feel that would be a massive factor although we tried to freshen the team up a bit at the start because we knew two tough games would take a toll on the boys."

Malachy O'Rourke didn't use Monaghan's hectic schedule of three games in 14 days as as excuse.

"We've missed him when he hasn't been available to us, no point saying otherwise. He has a presence and he's a leader."

Alan O'Connor's return to the Cork midfield engine room was a big plus against Limerick, according to selector Eoin O'Neill.

"Today, we never really performed for some reason. We seemed to be chasing the game the whole time."

Limerick's John Brudair lamented his side's lack-lustre performance.

"It's a great weekend for Clare GAA, we had a really good win last night in Thurles. It's nice to follow that up with a win and to be very interested in the draw on Monday morning."

It's Sligo away for Colm Collins and Clare in round 3A.

"We didn't score for the final quarter and that's a damning statistic in itself."

Laois boss Mick Lillis doesn't have fond memories of his latest trip home to his native county.

"Call it nerves, call it first touch, call it psychological, call it what you like. Anybody can put names on it. We didn't play well in the first half, if you want to put it a simpler way."

Terry Hyland witnessed a much improved second-half display by his Cavan charges.

"There's a bit of a culture within the GAA now where you have these overpaid, inflated egos acting as pundits that are just ripping decent people in the GAA apart."

Mick O'Dowd took a swipe at GAA pundits after confirming his decision to step down as Meath manager.

"I thought in the second half we showed we wanted to win."

The manner in which Derry fought back from a seven point half-time deficit pleased Damian Barton.

"We didn't feel like we needed to play that way today. And we conceded two goals, so you've got to look at the evidence."

Will Kildare manager Cian O'Neill reinstate their defensive set-up for the trip to Mayo?

"It's heartbreaking after a massive effort like that. We're definitely not getting the rub of the green at any stage."

The curtain came down on championship 2016 for Pat Flanagan and his Offaly players.


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