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.
💬 "He's just lightning"
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) March 2, 2025
Diarmuid Healy's many attributes get the Joe Canning seal of approval as he runs the rule over the Cork forward
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Having spent time in Galway backroom teams at both minor and U20 level in recent years, he has seen some of the Cork players up close and is particularly impressed by what Healy brings to the party.
"I’ve seen him over the last number of years with Cork minors and U20s. He is lightning quick, physical and tall," he said.
"He probably needs to fill out a little bit for senior, that will take time. He’s a good finisher and also works really hard getting around the field.
"He left Kilkenny lads in his wake (on Saturday night). I’ve talked about him to people over the last number of months. They have another guy there, Jack Leahy, who is really good as well.
"Cork have strength in depth from those U20s the last number of years. They have lads coming everywhere."
