Waterford went down to Leitrim by 2-17 to 1-5 in the opening round of the National Football League at a wet and windy Fraher Field. Darragh Rooney was star of the show for Andy Moran's side with ten points.
Dermot Ryan netted a second half goal for Waterford while Michael Curry, Jack Keane and Alan Dunwoody raised white flags. Captain Jason Curry saw a late penalty saved by Leitrim goalkeeper Nevin O'Donnell.
Wind assisted Leitrim led 0-7 to 0-2 at the break. Darragh Rooney delivered four points for the visitors (three from frees). Defender Jamie McGreal got the score of the half off the outside of his right boot. The Westerners wasted two goal opportunities in injury time.
Michael Curry kicked Waterford's first point of the 2024 league on 17 minutes after a pinpoint pass from Willie Beresford. Midfield partner Jack Keane blasted a goal chance over the bar.
Rooney added four more to his tally within four minutes of the restart (two from play and two from frees) as Leitrim cracked the Waterford kickout. Barry McNulty then punched the ball off the crossbar. On 50 minutes, Rooney supplied substitute Evan Sweeney who flicked to the net (1-12 to 0-3).
Waterford replied two minutes later as Alan Dunwoody crossed for Dermot Ryan to fist home. Ryan rifled over 1-2 in the second half. Déise substitute Tom O'Connell won a penalty eight minutes from time but Nevin O'Donnell denied Jason Curry from the spot. Five minutes into injury time, Riordan O'Rourke reacted quickest when a Paul Keaney free dropped short.
Scorers for Leitrim: D Rooney 0-10 (5fs), Riordan O'Rourke 1-1, E Sweeney 1-0, S Quinn 0-2, J McGreal, J Foley, A Flynn, P Dolan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: D Ryan 1-2, M Curry, J Keane, A Dunwoody (f) 0-1 each.
Leitrim: N O'Donnell; C Reynolds, D Casey, A Flynn; J McGreal, M Diffley, J Foley; J Gilheaney, P Dolan; S Quinn, B McNulty, Ryan O'Rourke; Riordan O'Rourke, D Rooney, D Wrynn.
Subs: E Sweeney for Gilheaney (39), J Rooney for Flynn (Blood, 50-58), C McHugh for McGreal (55), J Rooney for Wrynn (64), P Keaney for Ryan O'Rourke (67), M Plunkett for D Rooney (70).
Waterford: A Beresford; R Browne, L Fennell, C McCarthy; R McGrath, C Ó Cuirrín, D Ryan; J Keane, M Curry; M O'Brien, S Whelan Barrett, J Curry; S Curry, W Beresford, N McSweeney.
Subs: B O'Keeffe for McSweeney (25), A Dunwoody for O'Brien (32), B Hynes for Keane (43), C Mac Craith for McGrath (47), T O'Connell for W Beresford (57).
Referee: J Hayes (Limerick)
