Ballygunner opened their Waterford SHC title defence with a 0-17 to 0-12 victory over Abbeyside at Fraher Field on Saturday evening.

With county star Pauric Mahony unavailable after undergoing groin surgery, Stephen Power took up the scoring mantle by helping himself to 0-12. Power shot 0-8 - 0-7 from frees - in the opening half to help the city side to a 0-10 to 0-7 interval lead, and they comfortably maintained their advantage in the second half.

In the big all-city clash at Walsh Park, Mount Sion proved too strong for Mount Sion. On a day when John Mullane was unusually quiet, goals from Paudi Nevin and Jake Dillon helped De La Salle to a 2-8 to 0-6 lead at the break and Dillon's second major seven minutes into the second half paved the way for an impressive 3-16 to 1-13 victory.

In the weekend's other games, Fourmilewater cruised to a 3-12 to 0-7 win over Roanmore, Passage East edged out Ballyduff Upper, Lismore got the better of Dungarvan 1-20 to 1-17 with Maurice Shanahan posting 1-12 for the winners, while Tallow defeated last year's intermediate champions Dunhill 2-16 to 1-13. Tweet

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