Kilkenny City may have been brought to the courts to win the chance at gaining promotion, and after scoring a victory there they followed up with another at Buckley park last night through Brendan Rea's 31st-minute goal.
The decisive goal came after a deep cross from the left by Ray Carolan was met by Rea and his powerful header gave Waterford goalkeeper Michael Devine no chance. In a carbon copy move in the 28th minute Rea nearly netted again, but this time he headed over the top.
Waterford dominated play in the second half and a 63rd-minute free by Alan Kirby almost sneaked in and on 71 minutes a snap shot by John Frost had goalkeeper Robbie Forde stretched to the limit. Waterford had Alan Reynolds sent off in the 84th minute for a second booking.
What should be an intriguing second leg will be played at Waterford's RSC grounds on Saturday.
Kilkenny City: R Forde; D Mulcahy, R Carolan, M Kerley, D Greene, D Walsh, F Carter, A Forde, P SCully, J Prizeman, B Rea Subs: M Mearns for Walsh 59 mins; R Gimpy for Scully 77 mins; H King for Rea 90 min.
Waterford United: M Devine; D Smith, J Frost, A Reynolds, S Riordan, D Whittle, A Kirby, D McGrath, K Gannon, B Markey, R Griffin. Subs: B Wood, for Markey 79th min.
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin)
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