‘The psychological side is everything in sport. A happy dressing-room is a productive dressing-room. I won’t say players like training but they like being with the rest of the squad and it doesn’t have to be a chore.’ Offaly football supremo Pat Roe believes that a happy tem is a winning team.
‘For us to beat Galway, some of their players will have to play below par, and all of us will have to play out of our skins. I am realistic; however as a sportsman you have to have a belief that can happen on a given day.’ Leitrim footballer John McKeon ‘believes’ ahead of his side’s Connacht SFC semi-final against Galway, unfortunately for Leitrim, Sunday was not that given day.
‘Coming into the championship we were struggling, guys with injuries, guys doing exams - numbers were down in training and it was difficult enough to keep the intensity where you wanted it. The last three or four weeks have been absolute class, fantastic.’ Tipperary hurling captain Benny Dunne feels that the Premier County camp is building momentum at just the right time.
‘The worrying thing from the viewpoint of the other counties is that they have produced a performance like last Sunday (against Donegal) without a number of key players through retirement or injury.’ Former Dublin star Paul Curran points out how dangerous Tyrone will be when they are back to full strength.
‘If you have ambition then you have to beat the Monaghan’s of this world.’ Former Derry All-Ireland SFC medallist Enda Gormley gives an honest appraisal of how he views Monaghan’s capabilities.
‘They have fierce pride in the county jersey and it makes me laugh when I read of players from strong counties complaining. At least they have the chance of winning the All-Ireland. The Leitrim players put in just as much effort for a lot less reward other than the satisfaction of playing for their county. They get on with it and don’t complain. Leitrim people are a special breed - it’s a privilege working with them.’ Leitrim football boss Dessie Dolan waxes lyrical about the joys of coaching his spirited Leitrim players.
‘There was no anti-Cork bias. To suggest that is without foundation. The GPA has nothing to do with me or the committee. I have no axe to grind with the GPA. All the players and the GPA 
are a part of life. It is unfair to suggest the committee is biased against Cork. After all we have sent the Dublin manager to the stand, the Meath manager John Leahy received a band from us.’ CCC chairman Jimmy Dunne defends his committee as Semplegate rumbles interminably on.
