NFL Division 4 – Leitrim v Waterford

Waterford defeated Leitrim by 0-13 to 0-10 in Round 1 of the National Football League on Sunday at Ballinamore.

Waterford Footballers got their season off to a winning start in Ballinamore with a three point win over Leitrim.Waterford dominated the early exchanges, racing into a two-point lead after four minutes. However, Leitrim improved as the half progressed, led by Philip Howard who scored three points from play.An added-time pointed free by Brian Wall left Waterford ahead 0-6 to 0-5 at the break

Leitrim started the second half impressively as Waterford struggled to get a grip in mid-field, scoring five points without reply between the 41st and the 57th minute. Waterford were awarded a penalty in the 49th minute but Robert Arearne’s shot was saved at full stretch by goalkeeper G Phelan.

Waterford’s greater fitness was to prove vital as Leitrim visibly tired in the final ten minutes. Seven points without reply in that final spell turned the game for Waterford who ran out winners 13 points to ten.

SCORERS — Waterford: W Hennessey 0 – 4, B Wall 0-4, C McGrath 0-2, M Aherne, S Briggs, M Donnelly 0-1 each.

WATERFORD — T Wall; J Walsh, T OGorman, M OGorman; T Grey, S Briggs, P Ogle; M Ahearne, E Walsh; W Hennessey, C McGrath, B Wall; M Donnelly, R Ahearne, S Cunningham.
Subs: L OLionain for M Donnelly, C Phelan for P Ogle, T Prendergast for S Cunningham. C O’Keeffe for B Wall