Early points were traded between Sean Walsh and Darren Gallagher. Stephen Curry scored 1-1 in the space of three minutes to give Waterford an early four-point lead.
Longford took the lead in the 23rd minute with a fantastic goal from Daniel Mimnagh. Points from Dylan Farrell (free) and Joseph Hagan gave the midlanders a four-point lead after 28 minutes of play.
A pointed free from Jason Curry and a second goal from Stephen Curry left the sides level going in at the break – 2-5 to 1-8.
The Déise made a fine start to the second half with Walsh and Jason Curry kicking over early points to give them a two-point advantage in the 38th minute. Longford were level in the 45h minute with points from Hagan and Daniel Reynolds. One minute later Longford’s Ryan Moffett was shown a black card.
Waterford got a third goal in the 49th minute when Alan Dunwoody put away a penalty. Two points for Gallagher (one free) cut Waterford’s lead to just one in the 55th minute.
Both sides made changes with the game in the balance. Waterford were able to just keep ahead. Longford substitute Mark Hughes pointed two frees after his introduction. In the 70th minute Waterford got a fourth goal through Tholom Guiry.
Stephen Curry got a black card in the stoppage time but it mattered little as Waterford held on for a fantastic win.
Scorers – Waterford: S Curry 2-1, T Curry 0-4, T Guiry, A Dunwood (1-0pen) 1-0 each, M Curry, S Walsh, J Walsh 0-2 each, R McGrath 0-1. Longford: D Gallagher 0-5 (3fs), D Mimnagh 1-1, J Hagan, Daniel Reynolds, A Farrell, M Hughes (2fs) 0-2 each, D Farrell (f), R Harkin 0-1 each
Waterford: A Beresford; R Browne, C Walsh, L Fennell; D Fitzgerald, M Curry, R McGrath; S Walsh, T Guiry; J Walsh, J Curry, J Power; S Curry, A Dunwoody, S Whelan-Barrett. Sub: B Hynes for Dunwoody (55)
Longford: P Collum; P Fox, O O’Toole, B Masterson; D Mimnagh, R Moffett, Dessie Reynolds; D Farrell, D Gallagher; E Macken, J Matthews, J Hagan; Daniel Reynolds, A Farrell, C McCabe. Subs: M Hughes for D Farrell (38), K McGann for Matthews (49), J Macken for McCabe (55), P Kiernan for Mimnagh (58), R Harkin for E Macken (67)
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)
