Christopher Joyce hails the Pat Ryan effect

Christopher Joyce is swift to intervene when you ask whether the Cork hurlers’ training sessions have had an extra bounce since they beat Waterford the weekend before last.

Cork energised since that away win over the Déise? Not so fast, says the Na Piarsaigh clubman: “Training’s been good all year, in fairness.

"Everyone’s been working very hard — Pat (Ryan) has taken over the coaching and he’s been absolutely brilliant, and all the players have bought into what he’s doing. He’s been patient with us, too, because he knows everybody’s trying their best.