Cuthbert happy to have blooded new players

In the middle of Páirc Uí Rinn afterwards, respective managers Jason Ryan and Brian Cuthbert stood comparing notes, names and progress. The Kildare manager has been about the place — for his Cork counterpart, a senior bib may be new, but the fundamentals stay the same.

“We were always going to test our panel in the first two games and give lads opportunities,” said Cuthbert. “We had ropey periods at times today but you have to walk away from it very happy because now we have guys who’ve played for the first time in the league and did quite well in both games.”

Cork’s spring schedule has been kind in terms of giving them that vital ingredient — momentum. Two home games before they venture to meet Dublin at the beginning of next month has offered a stable environment to get things off the ground.