Kilkenny’s David Blanchfield competes in the air againstPatrick Horgan and Brian Hayes of Cork. Bryan Keane/INPHO

Healy stars as Cork finish strongly to defeat Kilkenny

22,193 in attendance on Leeside.

Cork 1-22

Kilkenny 2-16

THE SPOILS ULTIMATELY were secured by the home side on Leeside, Cork producing the more powerful kick heading down the straight that enabled them to overtake Kilkenny when it mattered.

A match that was finely-balanced on the scoreboard for long stages, swung sharply in Cork’s direction in that final quarter as they outscored Kilkenny 0-7 to 0-3.

That charge was sufficient to claim success in a game that unfolded amidst the backdrop of the tragic passing this week of Ray Ryan, brother of Cork manager Pat.

The Cork boss was present in his sideline role to watch his team win in an encounter illuminated by the contribution of youngster Diarmuid Healy. The Lisgoold player, stepping up this year for Cork from the U20 ranks, chipped in with 1-5 from play and constantly impressed.

cork-manager-pat-ryan-observes-a-minutes-silence-for-his-bother-ray-ryan Cork manager Pat Ryan observes a minutes silence for his brother Ray Ryan. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

Kilkenny had manufactured a two-point advantage at the break, Billy Ryan and Stephen Donnelly both netting in the second quarter. On each occasion Kilkenny profited from moments of greater decisiveness. Ryan surged clear after robbing Niall O’Leary of possession for the first goal in the 22nd minute and then seven minutes later Donnelly crashed home his shot, after Eoin Cody flicked a pass into him along the ground.

Cork stared at a 2-9 to 1-10 deficit at the midway mark after a positive start where they had defended tenaciously, executing a few impressive turnovers when Kilkenny attack. The bright rearguard opening was epitomised by Ger Millerick, who was prominent from the off, but he was then forced off injured before the break.

The home team’s most striking attacking contribution came from the 1-2 from play registered by Healy. He rifled in a 20th minute goal, seizing the possession that spilled from a crowd near the goalmouth and finishing to the net with aplomb. Patrick Horgan looked lively with two early points, one from play and another from a free conversion after he was fouled himself.

However Kilkenny were buoyed by that strong finish to the opening period and they kept edging in front during the third quarter. Cian Kenny and Jordan Molloy were both lively in the middle sector, picking off three points from play apiece throughout.

Cork started to grow in prominence. Horgan was a strong source of scores, clipping over a brace from play in the second half, and finishing with ten overall to his name.

Healy’s effort in the 60th minute nudged Cork ahead and kickstarted a scoring run of four points that he finished off, while Horgan and Tommy O’Connell also pitched in. That got Cork over the line as they withstood a late Kilkenny push, that featured TJ Reid on for his first appearance of the season.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-10 (0-6f, 0-1 ’65), Diarmuid Healy 1-5, Tim O’Mahony 0-2, Shane Barrett 0-2, Ciaran Joyce 0-1, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-1, Tommy  O’Connell 0-1.

Scorers for Kilkenny: Eoin Cody 0-6 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), Billy Ryan 1-1, Stephen Donnelly 1-0, Cian Kenny 0-3, Jordan Molloy 0-3, Mikey Carey 0-1, Paddy Deegan 0-1, Martin Keoghan 0-1. 

Cork

1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)

4. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills), 2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers),

7. Micheál Mullins (Glen Rovers), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers – captain), 5. Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr)

8. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)

10. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold)

13. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), 14. Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), 15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)

Subs

  • 18. Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for Millerick (inj) (27)
  • 20. Luke Meade (Newcestown) for O’Flynn (46)
  • 22. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields) for Dalton (48)
  • 19. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum) for Joyce (58)
  • 25. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton) for Mullins (60)
  • 24. Jack Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for Hayes (69)

Kilkenny

1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)

2. Mikey Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels), 3. Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), 4. Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan)

6. Michael Carey (Young Irelands), 5. David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), 7. Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels)

8. Killian Doyle (Emeralds), 9. Jordan Molloy (O’Loughlin Gaels)

10. Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan), 11. Cian Kenny (James Stephens), 12. Billy Ryan (Graigue-Ballycallan)

13. Stephen Donnelly (Thomastown – captain), 14. Eoin Cody (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 15. Harry Shine (Dicksboro)

Subs

  • 25. Luke Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels) for Stephen Donnelly (half-time)
  • 17.  Pádraic Moylan (Dicksboro) for Lawlor (inj) (48)
  • 20. Fionán Mackessy (O’Loughlin Gaels) for Doyle (53)
  • 23. Luke Connellan (Thomastown) for Shine (55)
  • 26. TJ Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale) for Kenny (61)

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)

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