Cork manager Ben O'Connor admitted there was a sense of relief to play a big game following their Allianz Hurling League Division 1A victory over Waterford at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
O’Connor was taking charge of his first league game as Rebels boss, and while they were in Munster Hurling League action, there were over 20,000 present to witness the success over the Déise.
The Rebels finished 2025 with the second-half collapse against Tipperary in the All-Ireland final which made for a long winter on Leeside.
O’Connor was appointed manager to begin a new era within the county.
The new boss was pleased to get up and running, particularly with a victory.
"Because of our first day out and new management, there was a lot of talk about us during the week," he told RTÉ Sport.
"I’m just delighted to get it out of the way and get a good performance out of it as well.
"We were eight or nine points very fast, and no wide in that period in as well.
"We were hurling nice and sharp. And I suppose the field had a lot to do with that as well. The ball is hopping. The place is pristine. There was a big crowd in and we needed to do that."
Two goals before half-time ensured the Rebels led 2-16 to 0-09, which O’Connor said was crucial.
"Goals win games. You get the points every day, but the goals win the games.
"They came at an important time as well. Like we were there for a while [without scoring a goal] and we said 'we could do with a goal now’. Next, we got one. We got a second one before half-time. And look, that's exactly what we needed."
Much has been said in the fall out to the All-Ireland final capitulation, including speculation of disputes within the dressing room.
O’Connor said the players have had to cope with "lies" and paid tribute to their efforts so far.
He added: "They're a great group and I suppose there has been a lot of pressure on them like a lot of talk from outside and lies spoken about them and everything. Anything I can say about them is all positive anyway.
"They're a great bunch of fellas, they'll do everything that they're asked and I don't think we've had any issues so far. Hopefully that's the way to keep going for the rest of the year."
Cork play Galway and Tipperary in the next fortnight with O’Connor admitting it’s a hectic schedule to begin their season.
"It’s mad you think that we played today and from today to 13 days' time we'll have three of our league matches played. That's half the league over in less than two weeks.
"So it's mad with Fitzgibbon and everything thrown into the middle of it. It's hard on the lads but look we'll manage it as well as we can and we've a panel there and that's what they're here for."
Waterford manager Peter Queally felt his side weren't at the races in a slow start to their campaign.
"We're very disappointed, obviously," he stated.
"We never got out of the blocks here today. We just didn't apply enough pressure in that first 15-20 minutes.
"We kind of got to grips with it then and hung in there. In fairness to the boys, they never gave up. They kept plugging away. We bought on a few subs that did well.
"It was just one of those days where a lot of things went against us. When that game was there to be contested in the first 10-15 minutes, that's what we'll probably reflect on with most disappointment that we just didn't lay a glove on Cork today and they pulled away at the start.
"We'll take the few positives that were out of it and use that going into next week."
