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 ahead before O’Sullivan’s point-blank scoop sent Dublin ahead at the interval.
An incident-packed second half stirred the 5,481-strong gate into bouts of agitation, particularly in the closing minutes.
Dublin, inspired by veteran centre-back Chris Crummey, made light of the wind in their faces and lead for most of the second half. O’Sullivan’s second goal, assisted by Paddy Smyth, whizzed beyond the diving Shaun O’Brien and only the most partisan observer could have denied the merit of their five-point lead.
However, O’Sullivan’s straight red card in the 65th minute for a high challenge on Mark Fitzgerald, ruined what had been an outstanding contribution.
Two minutes later, Gavin Fives powered forward to reduce Waterford’s arrears to three points before fellow substitute Patrick Curran, fed by Stephen Bennett, brilliantly goaled to restore parity.
As the match inched towards injury time with much of the attendance on its feet, David Burke and Jamie Barron traded points.
Stephen Bennett’s 90-metre free in the third additional minute, followed by Curran’s 74th minute insurance point, turned a dramatic tussle, which concluded in championship fervour, entirely on its head.
WATERFORD: Shaun O’Brien; Conor Ryan, Conor Prunty, Ian Kenny; Michael Kiely, Mark Fitzgerald (0-01), Paddy Leavey; Conor Sheahan, Kieran Bennett (0-02); Peter Hogan (0-01), Jamie Barron (0-01), Stephen Bennett (0-11, 9f); Kevin Mahony, Dessie Hutchinson (0-03), Pádraig Fitzgerald (0-01).
Subs:Gavin Fives (0-01) for Michael Kiely (25'), Jack Prendergast for Pádraig Fitzgerald (ht), Darragh Lyons for Conor Sheahan (52'), Patrick Curran (1-02) for Kevin Mahony (55'),
DUBLIN: Eddie Gibbons; John Bellew, David Lucey, Paddy Smyth; Paddy Doyle, Chris Crummey, Daire Gray; Conor Donohue (0-03) Brian Hayes; Fergal Whitely (0-03), Dónal Burke (0-08, 7f, 1 65), Conal Ó Riain; Brendan Kenny (0-01), Cian O’Sullivan (2-02), Ronan Hayes.
Subs: Sean Currie for Conal Ó Riain (42'), Colin Currie for Brendan Kenny (46'), Kevin Burke for Paddy Doyle (49'), Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing (0-01) for Ronan Hayes (55').
Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway)
