EIGHTEEN years is a long time to wait for a championship win. A hell of a long time. For the footballers of Waterford, the wait will continue into 2007.

In a venue which appeared to contain more Longford fans than home support (with a 20 entry fee presumably deterring many) Waterford will rue their failure to convert the goalscoring opportunities that came their way.

A flurry of six points after Waterford's promising opening hauled Longford back into proceedings, coupled with four unanswered points in the closing minutes which saw the visitors safely into the second round.

The home side enjoyed a dream start inside the first minute thanks to a super strike from Karl O'Keeffe.

Running onto a through ball from Andy Hubbard, O'Keeffe rifled the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net beyond a lunging Damien Sheridan from 20 metres.

Wayne Hennessy had added two further points either side of Longford's opening score which came courtesy of a Brian Kavanagh free after five minutes.

But the remainder of the first half saw Waterford muster only two points in response to Longford's 1-6.

The midlanders' goal was well crafted with Paul Barden slamming the ball home on 26 minutes after fine approach play from Shane Mulligan and Trevor Smullen.

After the break, Waterford made life awkward for a Longford side minus both starting midfielders Bernard McElvaney and Liam Keenan, withdrawn due to injury. Wing-back Brian Wall began to roam upfield with great intent as John Kiely's team reduced a five-point deficit to just two thanks to points from O'Keeffe, Wall and Stephen Cunningham.

But it was during this purple patch that the game was arguably won and lost. While Cunningham's 52nd-minute point at least yielded something for Waterford, they knew they ought to have had the green flag fluttering just seconds earlier. A long, probing ball evaded John Farrell, landing into the arms of Waterford midfielder Gary Hurney on the 21-metre line.

Hurney seemed to have too much time to consider his options, shooting straight at Sheridan, who blocked Hurney's effort with an outstretched boot.

Thanks in no small part to Barden and substitute Paddy Dowd, Longford were good value for their win. But they will need to find a few extra gears if their interest in the championship is to extend beyond the next round.

WATERFORD T Wall; E Walsh, J Phelan, S Briggs; B Wall (0-3, 1f), E Rockett, J Hurney; G Hurney, M Ahern; K O'Keeffe (1-1), G Power, A Hubbard (0-1); S Cunningham (0-2), W Hennessy (0-2), J Ryan Subs L O'Lionain for E Walsh, h-t; P Hurney for J Ryan, 60 mins; K Power for S Briggs, 70 mins

LONGFORD D Sheridan; D Brady, N Farrell, C Conefrey; S Mulligan (0-1), A O'Connor, D Reilly (0-1); B McElvaney, L Keenan; P Berry (0-1), P Barden (1-4), T Smullen (0-1); D Barden (0-3), J Martin (0-3, 1f), B Kavanagh (0-1 f) Subs P Dowd for B McElvaney, 9 mins;
K Smith (0-1) for L Keenan, 34 mins; P Foy for J Martin, 53 mins; D Masterson for P Foy, 68 mins; E Ledwith for C Conefrey, 70 mins Referee V Neary (Mayo)