Pat Ryan explains how Patrick Horgan ‘is getting faster’

Cork manager Pat Ryan says he knew Patrick Horgan would score the late penalty that helped them defeat Limerick on Saturday evening.

Patrick Horgan stepped up to take the penalty almost immediately and fired past Nickie Quaid in the Limerick goals.

Horgan hit a clever free down the line to Brian Hayes with the next play which the St Finbarr's player scored from as Cork closed out a two point victory over their Munster rivals.

With Cork having lost their previous two games to Waterford and Clare, only a victory would do on Saturday night and now they are back in the hunt ahead of a big game against Tipperary in Thurles this Sunday.

The Glen Rovers ace is 36 years of age but he's still one of the most important players on the Cork team, with 3-28 in the three championship games to date.

Interestingly, Ryan told SportsJOE after the game that Horgan, if anything, is getting faster. Ryan, who won an All-Ireland with Cork in 1999, puts that down to the fact that he is not lifting as heavy in the gym which has allowed him to slim down.

"I can show fellas the GPS and the stats and all that kind of things," he said.

"Patrick, if anything, he's got faster. He looks after himself, he probably has slimmed down a bit as regards not lifting as much heavy weights anymore and his body feels good," added Ryan.

Ryan says that Horgan's mere presence is a crucial part of the Cork team, as it creates space for his fellow forwards. That was certainly to the fore on Saturday night with the likes of younger players Brian Hayes, Shane Barrett and Alan Connolly all excelling.

"He's a large scorer, any chance he gets," says Ryan,

" He has to be watched all the time, and that gives other fellas an opportunity as well with that bit more space. So I'm delighted with him, delighted for him, but delighted for the whole panel too.

"I knew Hoggie would score, to be honest with you. Hoggie scores penalties," he added.

"He's in great form at the moment for us. He's injury free and he's going great."

Cork take on Tipperary this Sunday at 4.00 in what is a do-or-die Munster championship clash in FBD Semple Stadium.