Weekend Round Up in Quotes
Tyrone v Down
"I felt we didn't do ourselves justice in the first half in terms of the scoreboard," said the Tyrone GAA boss after his team's 2-17 to 0-15 triumph at Clones.
"But that point by us just before the end of the first half was important as it gave us a two-point lead.
"I felt Down put in a huge effort in the first half and that we would have more energy in the second half.”
Mickey Harte as told to BBC Sport
“On the day the best team won and I thought it was very encouraging how we finished the game. We kept battling to the end, we didn’t throw the towel in, so that will stand us in good stead,” he said.
“The other thing we have to factor in is that was our first time in an Ulster final. Tyrone, some of those boys it was their second or even their fourth. All those things come to play but I have to say, I am very proud of them.
“Experience is crucial, their experience in those situations is massive and Tyrone had more experience than we had.”
Eamonn Burns talking to the Irish News
Dublin v Kildare
"It's a fair achievement for the players and for Pat Gilroy who was here before me and that group of players as well,".
"I'm sure they're reflecting on that tonight. But for ourselves, it's another Leinster final. The provincial title means a lot to Dublin players and Dublin supporters. We'll celebrate tonight but we'll move on quickly."
"Any time you get early goals in a game it is significant. All credit to Kildare. They're a very aerobic and physically fit team. At the start of the second half we tagged on a few scores and they never gave in.
Jim Gavin speaking to the Sunday Game
“The plan was just to come here and try and play the type of football we have been playing all year,”
“In terms of getting that balance between a strong defence and a strong counter-attacking game for periods of the game, we did both. But unfortunately in the periods in which we didn’t, we really got punished.
Cian O’Neill as reported in The Irish Times
"Down revolutionised the game with a particular style, Dublin in the 50s were bringing a man out from the full-forward line and there's been various changes, but I don't think any single person in the history of the GAA has revolutionised the game like Stephen Cluxton.”
"Down to the lowest junior team now, every goalkeeper is trying to place his kickout.
"Cluxton [against Kildare] found his man almost every time which gave Dublin the foundation to attack. Once they get the ball and attack they're almost impossible to stop.”
Colm O’Rourke on The Sunday Game.
Armagh v Tipperary
"It wouldn’t have been pretty at times and it was very nervy towards the end but I thought we were probably good value for the result," he added.
"That’s been the story of the year, there’s been question marks in some of the league matches when we’ve given away leads.
"The penny is starting to drop with the boys, whether it’s the 15 who start or whoever comes in, that they all have a job and they are all very much valued but I suppose that comes from within the group as well.
Paddy McKeever Armagh Mentor speaking to RTE
"Fair play to Armagh. I think they were probably the better team."
"We didn't take our scores in the first half and that put us under pressure. And in the second half, I would have to they were on top and we were hanging on.
"I would say the better team won ultimately and I won't say any more than that.
"In fairness, that was payback for Armagh. They were caught by us in the League. So they've done the same to us now.
"Fair play to Armagh and I wish them all the best."
Liam Kearns speaking to RTE
Carlow v Monaghan
"We gave it everything, we’d nothing left in the tank at the end of the game.
"I think Monaghan just got out by the skin of their teeth.
"We turned over a bit of ball towards the end and they got scores off it and that was the difference.
"I think we matched them all the way through and showed that Carlow can compete at the very highest levels.
"[The run has] been exceptional, we’ve been starved for all our careers, we’ve had no success and we were so close to getting through to the next round.
"[We got] fantastic support from around the county, everybody is so proud of the team. They are going to will it on next year to success.”
Turlough O’Brien, Carlow Manager speaking to RTE Sport
"It was a real test of character,"
"We knew at half-time we were against the wind, we were two points up, but that it would be a real battle in the second half and we just had to keep our composure and keep working hard.
"We’re just delighted we got through in the end.
"I thought we were working hard, but we just weren’t making as good a use of the ball as we would have liked.”
Malachy O’Rourke Monaghan manager. Speaking to RTE.