NHL Round-up:Reigning champions Tipperary opened their title defence with a hard-fought 2-13 to 1-12 success over Waterford at Walsh Park.
The Premier County were 1-6 to 0-3 ahead at the break, with Pat Kerwick grabbing their goal on the half-hour.
Some fine work from brothers Dan and Maurice brought the gap back to four points, before goalkeeper Clinton Hennessey converted a penalty to leave the minimum between the sides.
But a goal from Paul Kelly on the restart ended Waterford’s resistance, although Seamus Prendergast did add a late goal for the home side at the death.
Three goals in the space of the opening 16 minutes put Dublin on the way to a 4-14 to 1-14 Division 1 victory over a spirited Cork side in front of 2,000 spectators at Páirc Uí Chaoimh today.
Gerald McCarthy’s side, missing all of last year’s striking panel, did get to within four points (3-10 to 1-12) with seven minutes remaining, only for Alan McCrabbe to score a fourth three-pointer direct from a sideline cut.
Midfielder McCrabbe helped himself to 1-9 in total, while Liam Rushe scored two early goals to give Anthony Daly’s charges the perfect start. John Kelly put his name to Dublin’s first goal after four minutes.
Barry Johnson converted a penalty for Cork to go with his six points.
Limerick were also quick out of the blocks in their clash against Clare at the Gaelic Grounds, scoring three goals in the opening period as they went on to record a one-point 3-13 to 1-18 victory over Clare.
Andrew O'Shaughnessy scored a brace to put Justin McCarthy;’s side 3-9 to 0-7 ahead at the break. Clare battle back and when Colin Ryan goaled midway through the half, they had got to within three points of the home side.
Tony Carmody had a chance to win in for Clare in injury time, only to blast his free over the bar.
Galway’s home tie against Kilkenny was a victim of the weather, one of 11 NHL games to be cancelled yesterday.
In Division 2, Wexford proved too strong for Kerry in Tralee, running out 4-21 to 1-10 winners.
In the only Division 3A tie to survive the weather, Derry enjoyed a 0-9 to 0-5 triumph over Mayo at Magilligan. The full Division 3B schedule was cancelled, while South Down and Leitrim shared the points at Ballymartin in a 2-9 to 1-12 draw.