Fourteen man Waterford lost to Carlow by eleven points under the Saturday night lights at Netwatch Cullen Park (1-17 to 0-9).
Niall Carew's men led this Division 4 encounter from start to finish. Carlow wing back Colm Hulton was their standout performer with four points from play. Waterford captain Jason Curry shot five points while goalkeeper Paudie Hunt pulled off two fine saves in injury time. Midfielder Michael Curry was harshly dismissed on two yellows with two minutes left.
Paul Shankey's team showed three changes from the loss to Leitrim as Hunt, Billy Hynes and Alan Dunwoody all got the nod. Carlow full forward Darragh Foley opened the scoring inside a minute after he claimed an advanced mark in front of the posts. Waterford put fourteen men behind the ball with Billy Hynes or Alan Dunwoody all alone up top. Colm Hulton beat the blanket defence with a lovely point from the left wing. John Phiri made it three nil to the hosts.
Jason Curry got the Déise off the mark in the twelfth minute. Rathgormack club mate Stephen Curry raised another white flag. Three Jason Curry frees kept the visitors in touch.
On 29 minutes, Ross Dunphy supplied Jamie Clarke and he fired a low shot under Paudie Hunt. Points from Mikey Bambrick and Aaron Amond gave Carlow a 1-9 to 0-5 advantage at half time.
The second period started just like the first with a high delivery into Darragh Foley but the Carlow attacker blasted wide on this occasion. Two Colm Hulton singles extended the home lead to ten by the 45th minute. Jason Curry and Alan Dunwoody curled over points at the other end.
Déise subs Tom O'Connell and Caolan Mac Craith narrowed the gap to eight. The visitors finished with fourteen men as midfielder Michael Curry received two yellow cards. Netminder Paudie Hunt made two injury time saves from Eric Molloy and Ross Dunphy. Late points by Cormac Lomax and Cormac Doyle wrapped up a comfortable Carlow victory.
Waterford welcome Longford to Fraher Field in Round 3 on February 17.
