The Echo Sport Podcast: Remembering Ray Ryan, Diarmuid Healy's electric Cork hurling debut and apathy for misfiring footballers

The Echo Sport Podcast takes in all the latest GAA action.

This week we pay tribute to Ray Ryan to former Cork hurler, Glanmire footballer and Sars legend, who won four counties and guided their U21s to glory. His death shocked everyone on Leeside but the GAA community rallied around his family and club.

His brother Pat spoke superbly at his funeral and carried himself with his customary class as he managed the Cork hurlers on Saturday night to a fine victory over Kilkenny.

We break down the Rebels' performance at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with rookie forward Diarmuid 'Duds' Healy shooting the lights out to the tune of 1-5. It was an electric display, arguably the best from a new forward since Conor Lehane against Waterford 13 years ago, but patience will be needed as he adapts to the top level.

Cork also had top showings from Niall O'Leary, Rob Downey, Patrick Horgan and Shane Barrett, in a welcome return to form. They did cough up a couple of frustrating goals and were too open at times in the middle third with Downey dropping off.

There's still a lot of play for over the last couple of rounds, though wins over Clare and Galway would send Cork into the league final.

RELEGATION THREAT

The Cork footballers suffered a 14-point hammering at the hands of Roscommon, which now makes relegation a concern and rules out promotion once more.

It was a disappointing night in the Páirc in every sense as a massive portion of the fans opted to depart after the hurling and more again at half-time when John Cleary's side were under pressure. 

It's unfair on the players and management but as long as the Cork footballers flatter to deceive, they won't get the backing of the general public.

Closer to home the leagues threw in over the weekend as we finally got a break from the wet weather and Steven Sherlock caught the eye for St Finbarr's, firing 0-15 away to Cill na Martra.

Plus Celtic and Cork City line up glamour friendly for July in the Páirc, with a trophy made by Gerald McCarthy up for grabs...

Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy will be joined by The Echo team including Barry O'Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.

You can listen to the Echo Sport Podcast every week wherever you get your podcasts or on www.echolive.ie/podcast