Cork manager Pat Ryan says it was a difficult and emotional week for his family in the build-up to yesterday’s Allianz Hurling League encounter with Kilkenny.

Pat’s brother Ray Ryan passed away suddenly on Tuesday aged 43 and was laid to rest on Friday.

Before the start of yesterday’s game at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, there was a minute’s applause for the former Cork and Sarsfields hurler and the Cork management and players lined up across the 45 wearing black armbands in his honour.

Speaking to RTE Sport after the game which saw his side winning out by three points in the end, the Rebels boss said that his family have received incredible support in this difficult time.

"We’re struggling, to be honest with you. It’s really tough, especially on Ray’s wonderful wife Aishling and three wonderful kids, McKenna, Rory and Elliot,” he said.

"We got great support, great support from the GAA community, from the Glanmire area. Family and friends were really good to us.

"It’s a tough time. Lots of families are touched by this. We are very united. We are very proud of him and we will miss him."

He added: "It was a week where we were all over the place. I was very anxious, because I know that’s what Ray would have liked, that nothing got in the way of the lads being able to play here Saturday.

"Kilkenny were good tonight. I thought they were very sharp and really took the game to us. We just got over the line in the last 15 or 20 minutes. I think the reaction we got off the bench was excellent and we had some good performances."

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