Longford 1 Waterford Utd 2: Waterford United gained some revenge for their defeat in the 2004 FAI Cup final when they got the better of Longford Town at Flancare Park.

Waterford hit the front in the 11th minute when new singing Paul Crowley converted a penalty, awarded after Longford goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien was judged to have brought down Daryl Murphy in the box.

However, Longford came storming back and after Waterford goalkeeper Packie Holden pulled off point-blank saves to deny Dessie Baker and Dean Fitzgerald the pressure was rewarded in the 23rd minute when tremendous control by Shane Barrett enabled him to fire an unstoppable shot into the net.

Waterford went back in front in the 38th minute when a flick-on by Kevin Waters fell to Daryl Murphy and he drilled a powerful shot past O'Brien.

The visitors consolidated their lead in a very scrappy second half but Longford came close to scoring the equaliser on a number of occasions. Alan Kirby had a shot well saved by Packie Holden in the 76th minute while Shane Barrett just failed to get a vital touch in the 86th minute.

In stoppage time Kirby had a shot parried over the bar by Holden while Dessie Baker drove a free-kick against the crossbar.

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Dillon, O'Connor, Ferguson, Prunty; Kirby, Fitzgerald, Murphy, Cronin; Baker, Barrett. Subs: Keegan for Murphy (60 mins), Byrne for Cronin (77 mins).

WATERFORD UTD: Holden; Mulcahy, Doherty, Purcell, Frost; Heffernan, Crowley, Reynolds, Waters; Bruton, Murphy. Subs: Doyle for Bruton (63 mins); Yelverton for Heffernan (90 mins + 4).

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).