'In tough times the GAA community really comes out' — Pat Ryan finds resolve in Cork duty

Rebels manager reflects on 'tough week' after Páirc Uí Chaoimh pays a fitting tribute to his late brother Ray ahead of Cork's impressive victory over Kilkenny 

MOMENT OF REFLECTION: Cork manager Pat Ryan during the minute's silent and applause in memory of his brother Ray prior to the Allianz NHL Division 1 game against Kilkenny at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

It was a poignant Division 1A hurling league victory for Cork in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening. Players were understandably keen to make their manager proud. 

“It was a tough week,” Pat Ryan acknowledged to TG4 pre-match. “But we have a really good family around us and the GAA community really rallied around us.

“Plenty of managers came down to see us and county board officials and Munster Council. In tough times, the GAA community really comes out – special thanks to my own clubs, Sarsfields and Glanmire, they were brilliant for us.

“We talk to the lads about moments. We had a tough moment yesterday [Friday] and we’ll have a couple of tough moments going forward, but the moment today is all about Kilkenny.

“The lads prepared well all week and it’s also good that, when I’m away, I don’t need to be there all the time.” 

Both sets of players and management teams lined up before throw-in for a minute's silence which soon gave way to applause for Ryan's brother, Ray, the former Cork and Sarsfields star, who passed away this week.

Post-match, Kilkenny beaten and an important second victory of the league campaign notched, the manager continued to conduct his media duties. Ryan said he was pleased to get the full points on offer following a close win. They were two behind at the interval.

“Yeah, a good finish," he said. "I thought we were really sloppy in the first half. We started getting plenty of ball into the inside line and I thought we were a threat but I think in that middle 20 minutes we only got two balls into the inside line which was disappointing. I thought Cian Kenny was causing us trouble even though Rob (Downey) was playing excellently.

“ [I was] disappointed really at half time but we ground out a great win in the end. In fairness, in the last two games we have got a great bounce off the bench and we got a lot of bounce from the lads there tonight.” 

One of those to shine and in his first full start was U20 All-Ireland star Diarmuid Healy, who scored 1-5 from play.

“Everyone will ask you what you want to get out of the league and obviously what you are looking for is new players and looking for the new players to play well in training and Diarmuid has been playing really well in training and dealing with the physicality of it," added Ryan.

“He is in great shape, a really good athlete and his performance there tonight was excellent. Obviously, we know he can score but his work rate, his movement, his understanding of what we were asking him to do was excellent.” 

Conceding two goals in the opening half left Cork on the back-foot. Another concern was some fresh injuries which will have to be monitored going forward.

“I suppose the two goals we conceded were frustrating in that they were avoidable," the manager conceded. "They were our mistakes more than anything. In fairness to Niall (O'Leary), who I thought had an unbelievable game, he kind of gave a hand pass without moving his feet. But, look, he was outstanding again after that. He’s been going really for us during the start of the league.

“As regards injuries, Robbie O’Flynn hurt his elbow and Ger Millerick had a tightness in his hamstring, we weren’t going to take chances. Ger has been playing really well for us and was playing really well in the game and that gave an opportunity for Damien (Cahalane) to come on and get game-time.

“Ciarán Joyce went off and came back in, and then he had a bit of a cut and we just weren’t going to bring him back on. It gave Cormac (O’Brien) an opportunity and Cormac did very well actually when he came on.” 

A trip to Clare awaits next weekend.

“Ah look we’re happy enough where we are," observed Ryan. "Obviously we’ve still got a couple of injuries, a couple of fellas out who we want to get back into the team and stuff like that you know. But, look, the squad is strong, the squad is going well. Obviously we’ve Clare next week again and we’ll be looking to win that match and see where that takes us.

“Then you’ve the Galway game. Every time you wear a Cork jersey you want to win every match. We go up to Clare next week, the All-Ireland champions, we’re really looking forward to it. We’ll use our panel again and give lads opportunities and see where that goes.”