Tipperary 1-20 Waterford 0-18:All-Ireland hurling champions Tipperary got their first win of the new league campaign against Waterford on Saturday evening, but they were far from convincing even after their opponents had two men sent off.
However, after defeats to Dublin and Kilkenny, new manager Declan Ryan needed the two points against Davy Fitzgerald's charges and may well just be satisfied the Premier County are off the mark.
In a scrappy opening 10 minutes, the teams shared eight points equally, with Waterford’s Richie Foley pointing three frees. David Young, Noel McGrath and Pa Bourke were on target for the Premier County.
Foely’s fourth free saw Waterford take the lead briefly, but the game got what it needed in the 12th minute when Paul Kelly reacted quickest to lose ball and hit the net for Tipp.
A quickfire McGrath double opened up a four-point lead but Foley helped keep the Deise in touch, scoring his first from play in the process, after Seamus Prendergast ended a lengthy barren spell.
Tipp, however, were more comfortable in possession and created chances Noel McGrath and Bourke were only too happy to convert for a five-point lead at the break.
Waterford's task got immeasurably harder in the space of five minutes after the restart when Shane O'Sullivan was sent off for striking Gearóid Ryan with his hurl and then goalkeeper Clinton Hennessey was dismissed for a high tackle on Brendan Maher.
Bourke's free opened the gap to seven points and it was Tipp's to lose.
It was Waterford, however, who fought hardest in the immediate aftermath of the dismissals and Bourke was on target again as they reduced the deficit to four points.
Indiscipline could have cost Tipp, but Noel McGrath, especially, kept Waterford at arm's length and Ryan's men were winners by five points.
In the McKenna Cup final, Tyrone almost pulled off a remarkable comeback against neighbours Derry.
Mickey Harte's men trailed by 1-07 to 0-02 at the break, but second half goals from Seán Cavanagh and Stephen O'Neill ensured a tight finish.
Enda Muldoon hit the net for Derry in the first half and four Paddy Bradley frees gave them a commanding advantage.
After Cavanagh gave Tyrone a glimmer of hope, Ciaran Mullan's goal proved vital for Derry, especially when O'Neill struck late on.
Results
Allianz Hurling League Div 1
Tipperary 1-20 Waterford 0-18
Allianz Hurling League Div 2
Laois 0-20 Antrim 0-16
Allianz Football League Div 4
London 0-08 Longford 1-15
Dr McKenna Cup final
Derry 2-12 Tyrone 2-11