O'Byrne Cup: Holders Longford knocked out by coin toss
In the Munster Hurling League, Mark Rodgers' last-gasp penalty gave Clare a winning start to the season as they defeated Limerick 3-20 to 3-18.
At a sold-out Tulla, the sides shared the opening 12 points before Shane Meehan found the net to put Clare three clear 12 minutes in.
Donnacha Ó Dálaigh responded instantly at the other end to level things up again, but Brian Lohan’s side still went in at the break ahead, 1-12 to 1-10.
Ó Dálaigh grabbed his second major on the restart before Jack Kirwan’s fine individual goal edged Clare back in front.
Fintan Fitzgerald then scored the third goal in the opening 10 minutes of the second half to level it up and it remained tight throughout.
A late Limerick surge, capped off by late scores from Peter Casey and Aidan O’Connor, seemed to have secured victory before Rodgers hit a point and nailed a penalty to earn the points for the Banner.
All-Ireland champions Tipperary were pegged back late on as they drew 1-18 to 1-18 with Waterford in Clonmel.
Like the other match in Munster, the first 12 points were evenly shared before Paddy Creedon’s 21st minute goal kicked Tipp into life and they led 1-11 to 0-07 at the break.
Jack Leamy extended their lead at the start of the second half with a free and they held a comfortable buffer heading into the final quarter.
The free-taking of Waterford's Reuben Halloran brought the gap back to just three points, and Charlie Treen’s goal levelled it up.
Treen put his side a point up late on, but a late Leamy free secured a draw for the home side.
Longford's three in-a-row O’Byrne Cup hopes came to an unusual end following a coin toss loss to Westmeath, who advance to the quarter-final.
Referee Kevin Williamson (R) and Westmeath manager Mark McHugh
With Saturday’s scheduled fixture at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park postponed due to the weather, the decision to decide the fixture off the pitch was made with no room in the calendar for a refixture.
A regulation for such a scenario had been added prior to the commencement of the tournament and with the quarter-finals scheduled for Wednesday 7 January and the Sigerson Cup also commencing on Tuesday night, the toss took place in front of Leinster GAA officials.
Westmeath will now play Louth on Wednesday while Longford, winners in 2023 and 2024 with no tournament played in 2025, will now participate in the O’Byrne Shield next Saturday.
Elsewhere Ger Brennan's tenure as Dublin boss started on a winning note as they defeated Laois 4-14 to 1-17 in Ratheniska.
Niall O'Callaghan, brother of Con, was among four first-half goalscorers. Robert Shaw, Tim Deering and Eoin Kennedy found the net. Killian Byrne scored Laois's goal.
Niall O'Callaghan palms home Dublin's first goal
Offaly saw off Carlow in another goal-laden affair, emerging 3-14 to 3-09 victors.
Meath came away from Aughrim with victory, despite a Wicklow rally. The Royals led 2-07 to 0-04 at the break but the Garden County were much improved in the second half.
The Leinster finalists held on for a 2-11 to 1-12 success.
Kildare were too strong for Wexford in Enniscorthy with the Lilywhites progressing to a semi-final with Dublin on a 2-12 to 0-09 scoreline.
In the FBD League, Mayo blew off the Christmas cobwebs with a tough 1-17 to 1-11 win over Sligo.
Sligo's Lee Deignan comes under pressure against Mayo
Mayo made a bright start in Charlestown, Rob Hennelly (2) and Bob Touhy landing two-pointers, but Paul Kilcoyne punched home a goal for Sligo just before the break with Josh Flynn following up with a point to give the Yeats County a slight interval advantage.
The lead was out to five 10 minutes in the second half, but Enda Hession scored a goal as Mayo finished the stronger to earn an opening-day win.
On Friday night, visitors Tyrone started their McKenna Cup campaign with a 2-13 to 0-17 win over Armagh – Lorcan McGarrity and Mattie Donnelly with the crucial goals in front of a crowd of 7,180.
In the McGrath Cup, Clare defeated Waterford 3-10 to 0-11 - Joe Rafferty, Caoilfhionn O'Dea and Jamie Stack with the goals.
Tipperary had 11 points to spare against Limerick, winning 0-15 to 0-04.
Paddy O’Keeffe and Sean O’Connor both hit four points for the winners.
