Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin's reign as Clare hurling boss got off to a winning start when the Banner defeated Waterford IT by 0-15 to 1-9 in yesterday's Waterford Crystal Cup opener at Meelick. The introduction of Mark Flaherty had a big bearing on the outcome as he scored the last three points from frees to give Clare the win. Trailing by 0-6 to 0-7 at half-time, Waterford IT drew level eight minutes from the end when Timmy Hammersley and Kieran Grehan combined to set up Ray McLoughney for the only goal. But Flaherty's late frees gave the home side a hard-earned win. UCC held an experimental Cork side scoreless in the second half at Paire Ui Rinn to register a 1-12 to 1-7 victory. A ninth minute Paudie O'Sullivan goal had Denis Walsh's side 1-7 to 0-4 in front at the break, but the students tacked on 1-8 without reply in the second half with Darach Honan's 50th minute goal proving crucial. Waterford also qualified for the quarter-finals following a 1-26 to 1-12 triumph over CIT at Kilmacthomas. Maurice Shanahan top-scored with 0-9 as Davy Fitzgerald's side produced a strong second half showing to run out easy winners. In Tralee, two goals from Matt Ruth and another from Andrew Quinn helped UL to a 3-15 to 1-15 victory over John Meyler's Kerry. Tweet

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