Waterford IT - 2 - 7 Garda College, Templemore - 1 - 6SIGERSON CUP/First Round: Two goals in the third quarter paved the way for Waterford IT's clear-cut win in a lively encounter at Templemore yesterday. The Waterford side were on top in the first half, but due to some slack finishing - they shot seven first-half wides - had to content themselves with a three points-a-piece scoreline at the interval.

Things improved dramatically for them in the third quarter. Although Alan Harris gave the Garda College an early lead, midfielder Brian Kelly, who was one of the stars of the Waterford side, finished a Michael Crowley pass to the net in the seventh minute.

Nine minutes later Cork star Setanta Ó hAilpín punched a second goal for Waterford to the Garda net to put the students in a commanding position.

The Garda rallied. Alan Harris pointed, and Darren Rooney netted in the 23rd minute to cut the lead to a point.

But Waterford finished much the stronger with a hat-trick of points for a comfortable win.

WATERFORD: J Hayes; A McLoughlin, D Leahy, M Crotty; K Coffey, F Flynn, P Deane; D Miller (0-1), B Kelly (1-1); C Byrne, R Sweeney (0-1), S O hAilpin (1-0); E Hogan, M Crowley (0-2), T Mahoney (0-1). Subs: A Mulhall for Byrne, M Brennan (0-1) for Hogan.

GARDA COLLEGE: A Keane; P Naughton, K Fitzgerald, S Cush; B Philips, T Sullivan, D Rooney (1-0); B Lynch, F O'Callaghan; J O'Neill, A Harris (0-5), C Dineen; P Shanley (0-1), B Begley, A Lacey. Subs: T Costello for Lacey, M Ryan for Dineen, M Brennan for O'Neill, N Sheridan for Begley.

Referee: P Russell (Tipperary).