Diarmuid Healy's dream first start led Cork to an emotional Division 1A victory over Kilkenny in front of 22,193 fans at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The U20 All-Ireland winner reeled off 1-05 as the Rebels recovered from defeat in Tipperary to leapfrog Kilkenny into third place.
Before throw-in, the entire Cork panel and backroom team lined up across the 45 for a minute's applause in tribute to former Cork and Sarsfields hurler Ray Ryan, who died suddenly on Tuesday. His brother, Rebel boss Pat, stood among them wearing a black armband in Ray’s honour.
Cork made four changes to welcome in captain Robert Downey, Patrick Horgan, Healy, and Declan Dalton after serving his suspension. Their line-up featured 11 of last year’s All-Ireland final team.
Downey was excellent at centre-back, his metronomic clubmate Horgan ended with 0-10, while Healy took to this level like a duck to water.
Derek Lyng named the same Kilkenny team as he did for their postponed encounter with Limerick last weekend, although TJ Reid was added onto the bench for his first involvement of 2025.
Both sides were wasteful in the opening quarter.
Ryan had highlighted Cork’s need to be clinical with their goal chances but Eoin Murphy saved from Brian Hayes and Dalton, while Healy and Horgan were hooked by Mikey Carey and Huw Lawlor when eyeing the net. Healy could’ve gone for broke from another opening but opted to tap over.
Kilkenny offered up a few quickfire wides and Cork took advantage to jump four clear when Horgan broke Tim O’Mahony’s long free into Healy’s path. He had no hesitation this time to rifle into the far corner.
Kilkenny responded within two minutes. Billy Ryan intercepted Niall O’Leary’s fluffed handpass and his bouncing shot tricked Patrick Collins
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