Cork strength in depth coming to the fore says Joe Canning

Cork are reaping the benefits of a successful crop of Under-20 hurlers, with Diarmuid Healy the latest to come off the underage conveyor belt and catch the eye.

The Rebels have contested five of the last seven U20 All-Ireland finals, with victories coming in 2020, 2021 and 2023.

Ciarán Joyce, Brian Hayes, Eoin Downey and Tommy O'Connell all have a couple of All-Ireland medals at the grade, while the likes of Shane Barrett and Alan Connolly have also sampled ultimate glory at underage level before progressing through at senior ranks.

Pat Ryan, who oversaw a couple of those victories, hasn’t been afraid to blood fresh faces during his time in charge of the seniors and Diarmuid Healy is the latest to catch the eye.

Introduced as a sub against Tipperary, he produced a player of the match performance in the round 5 victory over Kilkenny on his first league start, torching the Cats defence throughout and finishing the night with 1-05 to his name from wing-forward.

Speaking on Allianz League Sunday, former Galway hurler Joe Canning says the quality of player coming through on Leeside is evident.