’We were hoping against hope – the medical theory was that he wouldn’t be back. Damien was very down when we told him that he wouldn’t be playing but our team doctor Dave Boylan had to make the call, on advice from a higher authority. He was so looking forward to leading out his county in the Munster final – Limerick’s second time at this stage in twelve years.' Disappointed Limerick hurling boss Richie Bennis on the news that captain Damien Reale would miss Sunday's clash with Waterford.
'I totally dismiss that there was any element of player power involved in team selection. It is an insult to my integrity – and that of Fr Harry, Alan Cunningham and Ollie Baker – to say that was the case.' Former Clare manager Anthony Daly rejects suggestions made by Ger Loughnane that player-power reigned during his time at the helm.
'It's all about squad rotation, that’s what the qualifiers are all about and it’s nothing against Dublin but if we play a tired team against them we’ll get blown out of the water here in Parnell Park.' Tipperary stand-in captain Benny Dunne believes manager Babs Keating is right to rotate his squad for the clash against Dublin after their marathon exertions over the past five weeks.
'Nothing ever does last forever, everything goes in cycle. The Under-21 Leinster Championships are a lot more competitive than they were and Kilkenny have found it tough. Dublin will be up there with Kilkenny, with maybe Offaly and Wexford behind them, so it is all going to change.' Dublin's Kevin Flynn believes the capital's hurlers will soon be challenging Kilkenny at senior level.
'The fixtures should have been organised to reflect the fact that we are a dual county – and indeed a serious dual county. We promote hurling as well as football in Westmeath. There should be a recognition that counties have hurling and football teams and that people want to see both of them playing. I find it an astonishing decision.' Westmeath chairman Seamus O’Faolain expresses his disbelief at the fixture scheduling, which sees the county's footballers and hurlers throw-in just 15 minutes apart, thus meaning fans have to choose one or the other this Saturday.
'We will be up against it in the final, Sligo haven’t won a Connacht title since 1975 and Eamon O’Hara and these guys will be gunning for us. They were impressive against Roscommon and it will be a 50-50 final. We were happy to come out of Carrick-on-Shannon with a four-point win. We were lucky that we kept ahead of them the whole way through and kept out of trouble and lucky enough we held out in the end.' Galway forward Ja Fallon expects a tight match with Sligo in the Connacht final this Sunday.
'There are two options – the open draw, or the Leinster Championship with Galway and Antrim. My preference is quite clear – I would like to see the Munster Championship remain for now and try the other structure in Leinster.' GAA President Nicky Brennan enters the debate on the future of the Leinster Hurling Championship.
