Sports Speak

"We take serious issue with any group which would negotiate a sponsorship deal on behalf of our members as long as they remain members of our organisation."

- GAA president Joe McDonagh laying down the law this week with the Gaelic Players' Association.

"Let's f****** hold a tight rein here."

- The unforeseen pressures on a referee as expressed Pat McEnaney to his officials during a half-time break in a GAA match last year, recorded in RTE's documentary Blowing The Whistle.

"I was trying to sell him up to 10 minutes before the start but Noel Callaghan wouldn't buy him."

- Trainer Willie Mullins after his horse Joe Cullen won the Bumper at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

jwatterson@irish-times.ie