McDermott thrilled to make quarters

Ireland's Barrie McDermott gives BBC Sport Online his exclusive views on Ireland's progress to the World Cup quarter-finals.

We always knew it was going to be a physical game against the Maoris and we did expect it to be the toughest of the three matches.

They are a proud nation and they themselves are so proud to represent their country.

Also, with it being the last group game, the cumulation of playing so often in such a short space of time was bound to have an effect, but we came through the test well.

I took quite a punch from Paul Rauhihi, but it's all part of the craic.

It was great to have the Irish people right behind us like that and it shows the value of the work we are doing over here

  Barrie McDermott

He's a big, tough boy but Raihihi is a dead certainity to win a full New Zealand shirt one day.

Great competitor

He's a great competitor but we shook hands afterwards and it's all in the game... I don't care or worry about that sort of stuff.

I've played at Tolka Part several times, but the atmopshere against Maori was the best I have ever known.

It was great to have the Irish people right behind us like that and it shows the value of the work we are doing over here.

Like we've all been saying, we aren't the mercenaries that some folk accuse us of being.

Fantastic game

We just want to spread the gospel and show people what a fantastic game rugby league is.

It's England up next and we'll obviously be the underdogs.

They had a great result against Fiji and I think their quarter-final with us will be a really good spectacle.