All-Ireland SFC qualifiers: Longford  1-16, Waterford 1-9 Longford footballers duly won their first-round qualifier against Waterford at Walsh Park on Saturday, but the home side gave them plenty to think about.

A goal up within a minute through their full forward Karl O'Keeffe, Waterford remained in contention until near the end, confirming indications from their good showing against Kerry and league victories over Sligo and Cavan that their graph is rising.

But even their most ardent supporters in the 2,000 crowd would have to concede that Longford, who ran Dublin so close in the Leinster championship, were the better side.

O'Keeffe's goal was followed three minutes later by a Wayne Hennessy point and Waterford led by four. But Longford quickly found the range and were level after 18 minutes through points from Brian Kavanagh, James Martin (2) and David Barden.

They went ahead a minute later with a point from top scorer Paul Barden and after a magnificent equaliser from a line ball by Brian Wall, Paul Barden sent Longford on their way to a 1-8 to 1-4 interval lead with a wonderful 26th-minute goal.

Entering the last quarter, Waterford were only two points behind, 1-10 to 1-8, but the winners upped their game as Kevin Smith, David Barden, Paddy O'Dowd, Padraic Berry, Trevor Smullen and Paul Barden weighed in with points.

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, N Farrell, C Conefrey; S Mulligan (0-2), A O'Connor, D O'Reilly (0-1); B McElvaney, L Keenan; P Berry (0-1), P Barden (1-4), T Smullen (0-1); D Barden (0-2), J Martin (0-3), B Kavanagh (0-1). Subs: P O'Dowd (0-1) for McElvaney, P Foy for Martin, D Masterson for Foy, E Ledwith for Conefrey

WATERFORD: T Wall; E Walsh, J Phelan, S Briggs; B Wall (0-3), E Rockett, J Hurney; G Hurney, M Ahearn; W Hennessy (0-2), G Power, J Ryan; S Cunningham, (0-2), K O'Keeffe (1-1), A Hubbard (0-1). Subs: L Ó Lionáin for Walsh, P Hurney for Ryan, K Power for Briggs

Referee: V Neary (Mayo).