And we’re underway.
We were treated to the first sights of Division 1A and 1B of the Allianz Hurling League this weekend and it turned up some results for the books.
All-Ireland champions Kilkenny fell to a 0-14 to 0-10 defeat at Walsh Park as reigning League champions Waterford denied the Cats any chances at goal en route to a crucial opening day victory.
You couldn’t call Waterford clinical, having registered 18 wides over the 70 minutes, but their shoot-on-sight philosophy worked on the day as they got their campaign off to a winning start.
Once the Deise got themselves into a three point lead with 20 minutes remaining, they never truly looked like throwing it away which was aided when Colin Fennelly was sent off for his second yellow card of the game.
Last year’s runners-up Cork travelled to Pearse Stadium for their opening tie which they lost by a heftier scoreline of 1-27 to 1-21.
Galway were rattled early on as Seamus Harnedy found the net in the 11th minute but the home side regained their composure and Niall Burke’s goal more than steadied the ship with Micheál Donoghue’s side looking like much better value from there on out.
Kerry enjoyed the biggest upset of the day as they took a thrilling 1-24 to 2-14 victory back to the Kingdom.
Ciaran Carey’s men will be quite happy if life in Division 1B continues in this vein as they held off some late Laois pressure to prove that they’re not out of their depth in the division.
Mikey Boyle got Kerry’s only goal and, with nine different scorers, they looked threatening from all areas throughout a memorable win.
Clare had too much for Offaly in Ennis and they romped to a 2-21 to 0-15 victory, with a goal each for Peter Duggan and Aaron Shanagher.
Duggan was subsequently given his marching orders, along with Offaly’s Conor Doughan, but his goal had already set the framework for a comfortable win for Davy Fitzgerald’s side.
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