Leitrim survived a late scare from Waterford to ease their way to the next round of the qualifiers in an entertaining game played in miserable conditions at Páirc Seán MhicDiarmada,Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday.

Aided by a strong wind, Leitrim took an early lead with points from play by Emlyn Mulligan and Ronan Kennedy. Waterford opened their account with an eighth minute point from play by Gavin Crotty replied to immediately by Leitrim’s Ciarán Gilheaney.

A Paul Hurney point for Waterford three minutes later reduced the arrears, but that was to be their last score of the half as Leitrim playing a fast passing open game pressurised a shaky Waterford defence which yielded four further points, three by Ronan Kennedy and one from Emlyn Mulligan to give the home side a comfortable 0-7 to 0-2 lead at the interval.

Waterford made three changes at half time introducing Shaun Corcoran, Conor Murray and Fearghal Ó Currín but Leitrim maintained their momentum in the opening minutes of the second half, with the impressive Ronan Kennedy scoring from play immediately on the resumption followed two minutes later with a pointed free.

Shaun Corcoran reduced the arrears for Waterford with a 43rd minute point from play. However, two further pointed frees by Mulligan and Kennedy extended the Leitrim lead to seven points with 20 minutes remaining.

The introduction of Mark Ferncombe for the black carded Joey Veale and the half-time changes eventually started to pay dividends for Waterford as Leitrim tired.

A Donal Wrynn point from play in the 55th minute was the home side’s final score as Waterford pressurised the Leitrim defence and a Liam Lawlor point from play eight minutes from time heralded a late Waterford surge.

Two further pointed frees by substitute Mark Ferncombe and Lawlor closed the gap but Leitrim held their nerve and their lead to run out comfortable winners to register only their second ever qualifying round victory.