Limerick 0-24
Waterford 1-14

Thomas Keane reports from Walsh Park

LIMERICK PROVED TOO strong for an under-strength Waterford side in the first round of the Coop Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League at Fraher Field this afternoon as new manager John Kiely got off to a winning start.

John Fitzgibbon and Alan Dempsey were the scoring stars for Limerick as they weighed in with a combined haul of 0-15.

Waterford started brightly in the first half going five points up with just ten minutes played.

Limerick however came more into the game as the first half progressed and at the break they were just three points behind 1-10 to 0-10.

The only goal of the game came on seventeen minutes when Stephen Bennett found DJ Foran who went high to catch over his head and when he went through on Nickie Quaid, he made no mistake.

In the second half Limerick proved no match for Waterford as they powered their way to a comfortable seven points victory.

Waterford's Stephen Bennett is tackled by Limerick's Nickie Quaid Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

Fitzgibbon, Dempsey, Sean Tobin and Gearoid Hegerty found scores with ease when they were presented with chances.

For Waterford Billy Nolan on his competitive debut proved to their busiest player on the day, hitting six points with three of those coming from frees.

Forward DJ Foran also impressed for the home side as he bagged 1-1.

DJ Foran heads on to the pitch in Dungarvan Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Limerick: John Fitzgibbon 0-8 (0-6f) Alan Dempsey 0-7, Seanie Tobin 0-3, Diarmaid Byrnes (0-2f), Gearoid Hegarty 0-2 each, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: Billy Nolan 0-6 (0-3f), DJ Foran 1-1, Martin O’Neill 0-2, Stephen Roche, Mark O’Brien, Gavin O’Brien, Mikey Kearney, Colm Roche 0-1 each.

Limerick

1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)

17. Seanie O’Brien (Patrickswell)
3. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
4. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)

5. Diarmaid Byrne (Patrickswell)
6. Seamus Hickey (Murrie/Boher)
7. Declan Hannon (Adare)

8. John Fitzgibbon (Adare)
9. Gavin O’Mahoney (Kilmallock)

10. Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s)
11. Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
12. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)

21. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
13. Sean Tobin (Murroe/Boher)
15. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)

Subs

18. Kyles Hayes (Pallaskenry) for O’Brien (HT)
28. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell) for Tobin (54)
24. Richie English (Doon) for McCarthy (66)

Waterford

1. Ian O’Regan (Mount Sion)

4. Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan)
3. Shane McNulty (De La Salle)
2. Ian Kenny (Ballygunner)

7. Conor Prunty (Abbeyside)
6. MJ Sutton (Ferrybank)
5. Shane Roche (Shamrocks)

8. Mark O’Brien (Ferrybank)
13. Gavin O’Brien (Roanmore)

12. Martin F. O’Neill (Mount Sion)
9. Stephen Roche (Mount Sion)
14. DJ Foran (Portlaw)

15. Mikey Kearney (Ballyduff Upper)
11. Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart)
10. Billy Nolan (Roanmore)

Subs

26. Billy O’Keeffe (Ballygunner) for Kearney (half-time)
25. Killian Fitzgerald (Passage) for Bennett (half-time)
21. Andy Molumby (Cappoquin) for S Roche (half-time)
17. Colm Roche (Shamrocks) for O’Brien (half-time)

Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)

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