"Hurling needs a Dublin All-Ireland; I said that to them in the dressingroom last year and I still say it." - Kilkenny's DJ Carey after his side had beaten Dublin in the Leinster championship.

"We're here to play rugby, we don't want to get involved in all that. But if we have to stick up for ourselves we're prepared to do that also." - Irish rugby coach Warren Gatland reacting to perceived dirty play by some of the hosts in South Africa.

"I'm shocked . . . really surprised. Gascoigne is one of the best footballers in the world. I'm sad he won't be there because his talent could have lit up the World Cup." - German great Franz Beckenbauer on the omission of a certain England player from the World Cup squad.

"It's the right decision. Hoddle should have dumped him a while ago." - Former Manchester United and Scotland manager, Tommy Docherty.

"I used to have a thick head, to be pretty stubborn . . . I've started to listen a bit and it's working." - Darren Clarke and the secret of his recent success.