“I think it’s totally unfair” Cork manager Pat Ryan comments on suspension of Eoin Downey following defeat to Kilkenny

Kilkenny has qualified for a league final for the first time since 2018, after besting Cork on Sunday in UPMC Nowlan Park

Goals from Martin Keoghan and Billy Drennan fired Kilkenny to a victory setting up a league final against All Ireland champions Limerick.

After the game Derek Lyng seemed very pleased with his side’s display however so was opposing manager Pat Ryan. The man who is the last manager not named Derek Lyng to lift an under-20 All Ireland was quite happy with Cork’s performance despite the result.

See also: Lyng: “Whether we won or lost today it’s about improving the next 3-4 weeks and getting ready for championship”

“I’m disappointed in the level of our performance but, in fairness, we came back,”

“We started very poorly in the first 15 minutes, and then got back into the game, only down a goal at halftime. Unfortunately, then we gave away a sloppy enough penalty and then obviously the sending-off made it difficult.”

“I am very proud of our fellas the way we fought in the second half. Bringing it back to three or four points, probably had the opportunity to bring it even closer. We should have used the ball a small bit more, but in fairness, Kilkenny used the ball well with the spare man in the second half and got those few scores we didn’t get.”

See also: Kilkenny advance to the league final after defeating Cork in UPMC Nowlan Park

Speaking of the sending-off of Eoin Downey, where the Cork full-back was sent off in a melee that also produced four yellow cards around the two teams. Pat believes the following suspension in the Championship, where Waterford is up first for the Rebels’, is totally unfair;

“To be honest with you, I didn’t see Eoin doing too much. There were 25 fellas involved. I think a fella getting sent off for something like that and he’s going to miss a championship match for a league game.”

“Even David Fitzgerald last week for Clare getting sent off and missing a championship match, I think it’s totally unfair. They are separate competitions and I think they should be treated that way. We just have to have a look at it.”

Listen back to the full interview with Cork manager Pat Ryan, along with Derek Lyng on Scoreline Extra below: