'There is nothing to compare with the experience of having played a Championship game, and it must be a plus for us, even if Waterford are bound to be confident, having beaten Kilkenny in the League final.' Cork midfielder Tom Kenny is confident his side's Championship clash against Clare leaves the Rebels well prepared for the Munster SHC clash with Waterford.
'It took a long, long time to get over it, but looking back now, I think it's made the team a bit stronger over all.' Waterford's Eoin Kelly reflects on the single-point defeat to Cork in last year's All-Ireland SHC semi-final.
'There was a climbing frame, which gets increasingly difficult the higher you go. There was a narrow pole which people had to climb and then stand on a narrow platform which was the size of a dinner plate!' Tyrone manager Mickey Harte lets us in on some of his side's more unusual preperations for the Championship - they attended a team building course in County Kildare.
'For our first outing of the Championship it was as tough and as intense as you could expect, really.' Dublin centre-back Bryan Cullen saw what we all saw in last Sunday's draw Leinster SFC match between Meath and Dublin.
'I was as disappointed as any player would be and coming off before half-time made it even worse. However, it was the right call. Mickey is the manager, he makes the calls and I can’t argue with that. I was terrible – and you can put that in.' No arguments from Ryan McMenamin after Mickey Harte substituted him in last month’s Ulster SFC quarter-final win over Fermanagh.
'It's a great opportunity for these lads to be making their debuts in Croke Park on a day like Sunday. They've risen to every challenge and I've no doubt they will again.' Wexford manager Paul Bealin is confident his Championship debutants will handle the pressure in the Leineter SFC against Louth at Croker.
'If we start well and build up some confidence early on we will be 
in with a real chance and I’m optimistically confident that if we play to our capabilities we can win.' Sligo boss Tommy Breheny is optimistic and confident his side can overcome Roscommon on Sunday.
