Waterford win relegation showdown

Limerick 0-18 Waterford 1-19

Paul Flynn top-scored for Waterford as the Deise edged Limerick 1-19 to 0-18 in their opening Allianz NHL Division 1 Relegation clash at the Gaelic Grounds today.

Flynn destroyed unlucky Limerick's chances of success with a haul of 1-11 - as he netted the crucial goal from a 20-metre free.

Four unanswered points from the visitors - with Tony Browne, Flynn and Eoin Kelly amongst them - saw Waterford creep into a 0-08 to 0-04 lead, just short of the 25th-minute mark.

But three pointed frees from Alan O'Connor - Limerick's top scorer - saw the Shannonsiders remain in the hunt at 0-09 to 0-11 down at the break.

Flynn then dusted himself off on the restart, having been taken down on his way to goal on 36 minutes, to plant Waterford's goal past Limerick net-minder Timmy Houlihan.

Tellingly, Donie Ryan nudged over two quick overs but he was no answer to the brilliance of Flynn.

Limerick substitute Andrew O'Shaughnessy almost got in for a late goal for the home side - bolstered by the inclusion of football players Stephen Lucey and Conor Fitzgerald - but Waterford goalkeeper Stephen Brenner held out.

Scorers:

Limerick: A O'Connor, D Ryan 0-04 each, P O'Grady, C Fitzgerald 0-03 each, D O'Grady, J O'Brien, N Moran, S O'Connor 0-01 each.

Waterford: P Flynn 1-11, T Browne, E Kelly 0-02 each, M Walsh, S Prendergast, E McGrath, J Mullane 0-01 each.