The Nire withstood a second half rally from An Rinn to claim their second win of the Waterford SFC under the Fraher Field floodlights on Wednesday night (2-12 to 1-13). Tholom Guiry and Michael Morrissey got first half goals for last year's runners-up.
Conor Gleeson marked his first start of the championship with four points from full forward. Déise footballer Dermot Ryan (0-4) and Déise hurler Jamie Barron (0-2) also made big contributions.
Donie Breathnach dazzled for An Rinn with seven points. He drove at the Nire defence all night long from centre forward. In injury time, the former county man dummied two players before curling the ball between the posts.
The Nire led 2-4 to 0-7 at the break. Nine minutes into the second half, Lorcán Ó Corraoin found Nioclás Breathnach and the corner forward crashed the ball to the bottom corner. A fantastic free from Donie Breathnach off the ground gave them a slender advantage with ten to play (1-11 to 2-7).
Four points in a row from Dermot Ryan, Conor Gleeson, Jamie Barron and Ciaran Walsh saw The Nire retake the lead and hold on for victory.
In another action packed game, Clashmore/Kinsalebeg got the better of Gaultier 2-11 to 2-9 in Lemybrien. Kyle Moloney and Josh Fitzgerald raised green flags for Clashmore in the opening half as the Westerners made it two wins from three. Mark Fitzgerald scored both goals for Gaultier. Dessie Hutchinson came off the bench at half time.
