"Lance was relieved of his luggage at the air-conditioned private jet wing of Dallas International Airport and ordered a cocktail as he waited for a limousine to bring him out to Nick Price's Gulfstream jet."

- Caddie Colin Byrne on how the other half live when they get the bag of a top player.

"It's a no-win situation for Down. Even if we beat Antrim no one will be impressed."

- John Murphy, Down selector and manager Pete McGrath's right-hand man.

"What I really want to see wiped out is that awful psychological barrier, where Dublin players would start shivering when they came up against the black and amber."

- Tom Fitzpatrick, the manager of the Dublin under-16 hurlers.