Both managers declared themselves satisfied with their teams' performances after Cork snatched a last, late draw against Limerick at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Pat Ryan noted particular signs of improvement, believing it the type of game the Rebels could've let slip in the past.
"That was probably a game that we would have lost before," he said.
"It shows the resilience and the determination of our lads to really drive on. And, look, obviously we took a few injuries in as well and stuff like that."
The two major departures, Pádraig Power and Conor Lehane, both suffered dislocated shoulders.
"I think it popped in handy enough," Ryan said of Power's first-half injury, "so I'd say he's going to be out for four to six weeks anyway."
Cork jumped into a five-point lead within 12 minutes but only scored once more in the remainder of the first half.
Shane Barrett’s well-timed goal was their first score from play in over half an hour to spark their comeback from five behind.
"They got on top of us a small bit and we lost our shape and probably didn’t have enough structure in our half-forward line in the way we wanted to," said Ryan.
"The goal – we’ll look into that, what was the reason. That rattled us a small bit. We were seven-two up at that stage.
"There’s different aspects that we look at as regards our tackling or handpassing out of the tackle and stuff like that.
"But really delighted with our lads the way they came back into it and showed great resilience to come back and draw that match.
"That was a game that we needed not to lose and that was really positive for us because we've come down there a couple of times.
"Against Clare last year, obviously in the All-Ireland final, but also in the Championship out here and against Limerick in 2023 when we just needed a score to get over the line.
"In fairness, we won a great free and Darragh (Fitzgibbon) put it over the bar. But, look, both teams will be very happy, I think, with what their panels did."
John Kiely concurred with that sentiment as he praised the Limerick endeavour on their first competitive outing of the year.
"Overall, I’m happy with the performance," he said. "We probably put ourselves in a position to win the game and probably should have but it’s a good starting point for us.
"Everybody worked very, very hard. I couldn't but commend the lads for what they did out there.
"It was difficult conditions and they kept at it. They were very, very honest and that's all you can be."
Limerick showed some rustiness in allowing Cork’s early burst but Kiely was impressed with how his side righted the ship from there.
"We struggled a little bit in the first quarter – to be expected, possibly, with Cork having played last week and us not having a game per se. We just had a light challenge match.
"It's all about how we respond to those scenarios and I thought we kept our heads, worked our way into it slowly, and we were on a continual upward trajectory through the first half, which is pleasing to see.
"We had a lot of change there tonight and I'd be very happy with the effort of everybody on the evening.
"Free-taking was challenging. There was a couple of fantastic frees taken by both sides. Both Adam (English) and Darragh (Fitzgibbon), incredible strikes in those conditions.
"So commendations to both sides. They worked really hard, kept themselves in the game when the opposition was on top of them, and a good game, I think. A good battle."
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