The task was clear for the Waterford Senior Ladies Footballers at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada this afternoon, win and a place in the last eight was guaranteed.
A victory by more than 35 points would result in a home quarter-final after fellow Group 4 side Dublin dispatched of the Connacht county last weekend by a scoreline of 8-18 to 0-07.
The Déise and the Liffeysiders played out an entertaining 1-13 to 1-13 draw in Dungarvan in round 1 of the championship to help set up the final day of permutations.
Lauren McGregor kickstarted Waterford’s scoring on the day with a free that split the posts just after five minutes of play.
Kate McGrath and Chloe Fennell raised green flags in the first half giving the Déise a lead of 9 points on a scoreline of 2-07 to 1-01 meaning a monumental second half scoring spree was required to earn a home quarter final.
And the Déise duly delivered as Clare Walsh, Bríd McMaugh, Lauren McGregor and Megan Dunford added further goals in the second half.
However, when full-time arrived the 6-16 to 3-04 scoreline wasn’t enough to topple Dublin from top spot in the group.
The Déise will now face an away trip in the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship quarter-final stage.
