Ray Scott reports
Waterford dominated the game from start to finish with Cian Kavanagh in flying form and Anthony Wordsworth controlling affairs in the middle of the park.
The Blues striker opened the scoring on 31 minutes when he dispossessed Jack Kavanagh before charging into the area and firing past Peter Cherrie.
He doubled his tally eight minutes later when he muscled the defender off the ball, swiveled, and slotted the ball home.
The Blues were in cruise control but gave the visitors a lifeline 4 minutes before the break when David McMillan capitalised on a defensive error and rolled the ball under the advancing Brian Murphy.
Eddie Nolan tested Cherrie twice in the space of a minute around the hour – he first met a Junior corner with a deft little flick which Cherrie could only tip over the bar and then his long-range free-kick just sailed beyond the right upright.
Dundalk best chance to level things came on 75 minutes when former blue John Martin found Dan Williams but his 25-yard effort crashed off the crossbar.
Martin ironically, presented with the Blues supporters club player of the year for last season after the game.
Full Time Score Waterford FC 2-1 Dundalk
