The Blues (waterford)survived the early exchanges and were unlucky not to be in front when Kevin Doherty met a Kevin Waters corner but Ian Rossitor was on the goal line to clear after 13 minutes. Harps took the lead somewhat against the run of play four minutes later when Chris Breen found Michael Funston in space about 30 yards out and he hit a speculative shot that dipped under the crossbar.

Waterford's best effort of the half came five minutes before the break when a flick from Willie Doyle sent Bruton away, he tried to turn Boyle but was closed down and he hit his effort over. And a minute before the break, Bruton foound the inrushing Dave Mulcahy but his shot flew wide.

The Blues came out all guns blazing in the second period but the Harps defence held firm. And Willie Bruton had another opportunity to level things on 55 minutes when he was put through by Doyle, ran 30 yards, rounded the keeper but somehow dragged his shot across the goal and wide. And the dimunitive striker went close 5 minutes later when he picked up the ball on the edge of the area and with his back to goal he tried and overhead shot that went just over. Then it was the turn of Doherty to head over as he met a Heffernan cross. Harps only chance of the half came on 70 minutes when Seamus Brown shot over from the top of the penalty area.

When the equaliser finally came it was courtesy of the penalty spot. Willie Bruton slipped the ball to Stephen Yelverton who was bundled over by Shane Bradley and referee Pat Whelan pointed to the spot. It was substitute Sean Finn who stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. And the Blues finally went in front seven minutes from time when man of the match Colm Heffernan received the ball from Pat Purcell and his low drive was deflected into the net by the hapless Bradley.

Waterford United:
Holden, Andrews, Frost, Mulcahy, Doherty, Purcell, Heffernan, Crowley(Grant 78'), Doyle (Yelverton 63'), Bruton, Waters (Finn 63')

Finn Harps:
Cullen, Asokuh, Rossitter, Boyle, Bradley, Funston, McGowan, Bonner(Minnock 68'), Breen(Brown 30'), Connolly, Gorman

Ref: P Whelan (Dublin)