All-Ireland SFC Quarter-final/Laois v Mayo: The labyrinth under Croke Park can be somewhat crazy on August Sunday afternoons and although you are never quite sure who is going to pop up in conversation, even Mayo manager Mickey Moran looked surprised when he was asked to evaluate Oscar Wilde.

Lunchtime probably seemed like another lifetime to the Derry man and he looked blank when reminded he had borrowed the dandy's line about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing in relation to the common perception of Mayo.

"Mmh, I thought Oscar Wilde played for Meath in 1987," deadpanned Moran, a reply that achieved the magical sound of 40 silenced pressmen.

"Look, I made a flippant remark to egg you boys on," he grinned.

"At the end of the day, what matters is those boys in there, and you will not take away from them, please, the last three minutes when they came back from the dead, two points down to equalise. They gave their heart and soul to get a replay. Laois did too. It was a credit to both teams.

"Look, the whole thing is about players," he continued. "When you work with lads, you get a family. I love every one of them. And we make mistakes, we know we get things wrong but we also get some things right."

Although the day was not won, it was a hugely important day for Moran and Mayo. His team played bravely and although he is more renowned as a trainer than manager, his tactical switches worked a treat.

"Well, I think the lighting the candles worked even better. My sister probably lit about 10. Well, we had to do something. And the lads who came in gave a good account of themselves."

Barry Moran made himself busy and Aidan Kilcoyne and Andy Moran contributed massive points. The one surprise withdrawal was Keith Higgins, the sticky corner back who had played a fine match. Probed for the reason for his departure, Moran grinned.

"Don't quote me on this. I says, 'Keith, what is it son: are you hurt?' 'Just fucked,' he says back. That is the kind of fella he is, he will grin at you and tell you the truth. Now don't print that or I'll be excommunicated by the Catholic Church."

Chris Conway emerges from the RTÉ interview room in his bare feet, a lone Laois man surrounded by press hordes. For the first time all day, the Arles Kilcruise attacker has no way out.

"Both teams would consider themselves unfortunate," he reasons. "It was a wide open game and it came down to a couple of pressure kicks. And both teams stood up to it. And we are happy. We are still in the championship and we will regroup.

"I have never won a game until it's over or lost one until the final whistle. Indeed, though, we were a couple of points up, they got back level and then we had a chance again. It was end to end, very fast and open game. Both teams like to play football and I think that is well documented."

For Conway, though, the glass is definitely half full. "We are happy. We are still in the championship. It has been a long season but I hope it lasts for another six or seven weeks. Right now, though, we are glad to have another chance. Both teams were going to the death out there and we both had chances."

There was enough action to keep the fans of both counties nattering for a week. That is as it should be. As the great Meath full back Mick Lyons once said: there is one thing worse that being talked about. And that is not being talked about.