Emergence of Healy exactly what Ryan wanted from league

The forward display of All-Ireland underage winner Diarmuid Healy was the main feature of Cork's win over Kilkenny.

STOP THERE: Cork's Diarmuid Healy is tackled by Kilkenny's Huw Lawlor during the Allianz NHL division 1 game at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The mood was understandably sombre in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday as Cork bounced back from their away defeat to Tipperary. The evening began with an emotional minute’s applause in memory of former county hurler Ray Ryan, brother of Rebel manager Pat.

“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.