Championship debutant Dessie Hutchinson nailed a late free from 40 metres as Gailltir squeezed past An Rinn 1-5 to 1-4 on a miserable afternoon in Kill. The Eastern side kicked 15 wides including 11 in the first half.
A Donie Breathnach penalty gave An Rinn a 1-1 to 0-3 lead at the break against the run of play.
Dessie Hutchinson equalised before older brother JJ dispatched a penalty. Dessie's last minute free, his third point of the day, proved decisive in a nail biting finish.
Dessie says it's great to start the campaign with a victory.
Waterford SFC: Former pro soccer player Hutchinson starts on a high https://t.co/XUVtBvuP8n pic.twitter.com/PIwxvNaYe7
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) April 14, 2019
Stradbally started the campaign with a 0-12 to 1-2 win over Kilmacthomas. Shane Aherne sent over seven points (five from frees) and Michael Walsh scored two from full forward. Kilmac sub John Cleary converted a second half penalty.
Stradbally manager John Hearne was pleased to get off to a winning start.
Ballinacourty beat fourteen man Brickey Rangers 1-16 to 0-4 at a rain lashed Fraher Field last night.
David Looby scored 1-4 including a late goal while Neil Montgomery landed four points from play. Brickeys forward Cormac O'Grady was sent off on a straight red in first half injury time.
Courty boss Peter Queally revealed afterwards that Waterford keeper Aaron Beresford suffered a knee injury in training earlier in the week.
Conor Prunty wasn't risked due to a quad issue.
Peter told WLR Sport, the strength of their panel was evident by the display of their younger players again last night.
