“Our work-rate was up, our tackling was up, our decision-making was up. The lads deserve great credit, from Nash out to Cads, they really, really put in a performance today.”

Cork dug deep to secure a deserved victory and manager John Meyler couldn’t disguise his delight after the final whistle.

“Bottom line is it was a below-par performance and we paid a heavy price for it, simple as that.”

John Kiely got straight to the point in his post-match interview.

“The way we played for 20 minutes, I don’t think any team in the country would touch us. It’s a killer to get caught in the end, an absolute killer.”

Sean Moran’s dramatic late free left Davy Fitzgerald scratching his head in Parnell Park.

“We’re delighted to get the draw at the last puck of the game.”

It was most definitely a point gained as far as Mattie Kenny and the Dubs were concerned.

“The lads are hurting inside as much as everybody is over the result. There’s two ways we can go, we can leave the season peter out or we can fight for our lives.”

It’s back to the wall stuff now for Paraic Fanning and the Deise.     

“The scoreboard was a bit false in the finish, but it’s job done, two more points on the board.”

Tipp supremo Liam Sheedy wasn’t overly happy with the performance of his team against 14-man Waterford.

"There are two huge games to come. The next game is all we will focus on for now against Galway in Nowlan Park. We have to go to Wexford in our final game so there is a huge amount of hurling to be done yet.”

Sterner challenges lie ahead for Brian Cody and the Cats.

“There was a big build-up to the game. This was, I suppose, the marquee game with Kilkenny coming to Cullen Park and it was all the talk and I think that might have got to us.”

Carlow didn’t do themselves justice against their more illustrious neighbours, according to Colm Bonnar.

“Even when there was a minute left I didn’t care what we were up, we were still playing Offaly.”

Past experience has taught Westmeath manager Joe Quaid to guard against Offaly comebacks!

“I’m bitterly disappointed. I wasn’t expecting this type of performance from ourselves. Westmeath were very good and there was a bounce in their step today.”

Kevin Martin’s Faithful County charges slumped to a second defeat in the Joe McDonagh Cup competition.

“I wouldn’t be at all pleased with that performance. The second half was just careless, sloppy is how we would describe it.”

Despite their eight-point success over Antrim, Laois manager Eddie Brennan said his team’s display left a lot to be desired.

“Coming out in the second-half was always going to be difficult but it was about us working and we worked hard right to the death and that’s really positive for us.”

Neal Peden was pleased with the battling qualities shown by his Antrim players.

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