Waterford commenced their Munster senior hurling championship campaign with a 2-23 to 0-21 victory over All-Ireland champions Clare before a 12,078 crowd at Walsh Park this afternoon.

Stephen Bennett (2-8) struck both of his side’s goals in the second-half against the Banner men who were without talisman Tony Kelly, with the ace attacker missing out through injury and being replaced in Brian Lohan’s starting line-up by Shane Meehan.

The Deise had built up a 0-13 to 0-10 lead at the end of the first-half and grabbed their first goal through Bennett from the penalty spot eight minutes into the restart to make it 1-14 to 0-11.

The points of David Reidy and Peter Duggan helped the visitors trim their deficit down to three points, but Bennett would hammer to their net again in the 57th minute to wipe out those scores and points from the Waterford marksman and Patrick Fitzgerald left eight in it with six minutes remaining in normal time.

Michael Kiely extended the hosts’ lead ahead of Reidy shooting over a brace at the other end in the closing stages which proved to be consolation for the Liam MacCarthy Cup holders who still await their first championship win of 2025 after two rounds.

A big win for the Déise@WaterfordGAA 2-23@GaaClare 0-21

Watch the highlights here! #WATvCLA pic.twitter.com/tUzgHCeDJi

— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 27, 2025

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