Quotes of the week

“Consistency? We can hardly spell the word in Galway and there has been none in recent times.”

Ray Silke on Galway football’s county board sacking of Tomás Ó Flatharta.

“I don’t think it has given United a mental edge but it will be important for us to know why we lost this game. A top team doesn’t always play well, but when we score two goals and go 2-0 up, we need to have a strong mentality.”

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini after watching his side throw away a two-goal lead – and lose the Community Shield – to rivals United.

“Have to say. I think today was a footballing lesson. Great win for the champions.”

Wayne Rooney gives his opponents even more of an incentive.

“If you spend £100m you are likely to get more or better players than the team that spends £2-3m. If you want a Savile Row suit, you pay Savile Row prices but you can still put a suit on your back from Tesco’s. There are limits and it would be unfair to expect the Tesco man to look as good as the Savile Row man.”

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson admits unfashionable Albion must cut their cloth according to their budget.

“He makes things look so easy. It’s a big comparison but you look at players like George Best and [Lionel] Messi and then you look at Paddy and for some reason he makes it look that easy.”

Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes on Pat McCourt – the night before McCourt hit two wonder-goals against the Faroe Islands.

“It shows how much we have to do. It’s given everyone a kick up the back side.”

Wales manager Gary Speed after his team’s 2-1 defeat to Australia.