Surprise opening of games was irritating (5)

I believe the answer is:

stung

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'irritating' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'surprise opening of games' is the wordplay.
'surprise' becomes 'stun' (stunning is a kind of surprising).
'opening of' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'games' is 'g'.
'stun'+'g'='STUNG'

'was' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stung that I've seen before include "Caused sharp pain" , "Bitten, by a bee say" , "cheated" , "like Ray did, perhaps" , "goaded" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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