The Deise edge closer to promotion after Dublin contest

Injury-time points by Stephen Bennett and Patrick Curran edged Waterford towards promotion following a helter-skelter contest against a Dublin side who must have felt they'd done enough to earn a precious away win.

Cian O’Sullivan’s superbly struck 59th minute goal left the Dubs five points to the good and in the box seat for victory.

But, exemplifying the fighting spirit which was the trademark of manager Peter Queally’s inter-county career, Waterford, inspired by the outstanding Bennett, carved out an unlikely win.

An end-to-end first half saw Dublin go in two points to the good by 1-11 to 0-12 thanks to Cian O’Sullivan’s injury-time goal after Ronan Hayes’s flick triggered a goalmouth scramble.

The visitors were the quicker to settle with Brendan Kenny breaking from deep to open the scoring after 30 seconds, and adding a second before the opening minute had fully elapsed.

Pádraig Fitzgerald opened Waterford’s account with a fine point from the host’s next attack, with Stephen Bennett bringing the hosts level barely a minute later.

Another Donohoe point, followed by a brace of Donal Burke frees extended Dublin’s lead by the ninth minute before Kieran Bennett, released by a Conor Sheahan pass, expertly split the county end uprights.

Bounding down the right flank after 13 minutes, Stephen Bennett found his range from just inside the 45 and moments later tagged on a free from just shy of 65 metres to leave the Deisemen just a point down.

Donal Burke from a free and the lively Fergal Whitely extended Dublin’s lead to three by the 18th minute before Waterford established a firmer footing, scoring three of the next four points, including a Dessie Hutchinson double.

Peter Hogan replied to Burke’s fifth free to edge Waterford a point