"Noel was really immense from start to finish. For whatever reason,
people continue to question him. He was immense, you can put it whatever
way you like but he did it from start to finish. That’s just the
way he is. He’s an absolute inspiration to all of us."
Kilkenny manager Brian Cody talks up full back Noel Hickey, who
made his comeback after injury in the All-Ireland semi-final against
Cork
"Looking back at last weekend it seems to be Kilkenny’s to
lose. They can really only beat themselves at this stage. It was a brilliant
performance."
Clare’s Niall Gilligan nails his colours to the mast and
says he finds it hard to see Kilkenny beaten this year
“We were saying beforehand that Waterford were after losing the
last couple of years and they weren’t going to go down without
a fight. They weren’t going to let us have our way. They stood
up and came at us. And fair play to them, they’ve got to an All-Ireland
final. We wish them the very best of luck against Kilkenny."
Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy says he knew that Waterford had
a big performance in them ahead of the All-Ireland semi-final
“I’m personally delighted to be there but, most of all, in
the first or second night of training I could see the older Waterford
players and you don’t have any idea what it means to them to contest
a final. These guys’ heart and soul are in this and I knew I had
a special bunch of players. All they want is a chance to win Liam McCarthy
and now they have it.”
Davy Fitzgerald on the desire of the Waterford players
"It’s hard to judge teams of different eras, Kilkenny had
some great teams in the 70s and 80s, but this team is certainly up there
with the best of them. They’re a superb hurling bunch, very strong,
very physical and they have a great mix to their game."
Cork boss Gerald McCarthy pays tribute to the quality of the current
Kilkenny side
"It’ll be hard to see another three-in-a-row attempt for
a couple of years anyway. The likes of Eddie Brennan, James McGarry,
Henry (Shefflin) and others are around a long time. Realistically, we
mightn’t get another shot at a three-in-a-row so we’d better
make the most if this one."
Kilkenny’s Michael Kavanagh believes that if his side want
to win a three-in-a-row of Liam McCarthy Cup, now might be the only
chance the current crop of players get to achieve that
"I’d say it’s probably the aspiration of the vast majority
of county team managers to manage their native county at some stage
of their career. It’s certainly an ambition of mine and so if I’m
approached by the Laois county board, I’d certainly be willing
to a be a candidate for the position."
Pat Roe puts his name in the hat for the Laois football manager’s
job after Liam Kearns’ decision to step down