Waterford 7-31
Laois 0-17
The Déise men's National League campaign got off to a flying start at Walsh Park this afternoon, following a comprehensive win over a hapless Laois on home soil.
U-20 star Carthach Daly got the ball rolling for Waterford, netting an early goal in the first half. That was swiftly followed by another four green flags before the half-time whistle was blown from Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran, a blistering fourth from Stephen Bennett and a fifth from Ciaran Kirwan.
On his senior debut for the Déise, Kill native Ciaran Kirwan netted an impressive 1-04 from full-forward.
Laois kept in touch with the game, thanks to scores from Stephen Maher and Ross King, but Waterford had put up 5-12 at halftime, compared to the midland side's 11 points.
The biggest chair of the game came in the second half when the returning Tadhg de Burca was replaced by Darragh Lynch after putting in a solid 50 minutes. It was the Clashmore-Kinsalebeg-man's first time back in the white and blue since the 2020 All Ireland.
Luck was not on the Laois-men's side following the dismissal of Ben Conroy on a straight red, and full back Seán Downey on a black card resulting in two Waterford penalties.
Stephen Bennett converted both of those penalties to goals bringing the Ballysaggart man's full-time score to 3-8.
There was plenty of sharp-shooting throughout, with Waterford having thirteen different scorers in total, with Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran and Jack Prendergast.
The Déise men will have a break next weekend, before they will have to make the long trip North to face Antrim in Round 3 on Sunday February 27th.
