AN exciting encounter at Dr Cullen Park saw Anthony Rainbow's side edge home by the narrowest of margins and claim their first Qualifier win since 2005.
Big outsiders before the game, this was a morale-boosting win for the Carlow men, who also finished the game with 14 players as they lost Willie Minchin to a second yellow card in stoppage time. They also had Ciaran Moran black-carded in the second half.
For long periods of the game, Waterford looked to hold the upper hand and at half-time they led 1-6 to 0-6, their goal coming from Liam O'Lionain. That stung Carlow as
they were unfortunate to be behind having watched a fisted effort from Darragh Foley come off the post as did two frees.
In the second half, Daniel St Ledger, Benny Kavanagh and Darragh Foley led the fightback for Carlow who had nine different scorers.
The replacement for the black cared Moran, Jack Kennedy kicked them into the lead as full time approached. St Ledger then landed his fourth point from placed balls late on to put Carlow two points clear and while Paul Whyte, who scored eight points, reduced the deficit to one point well into injury time, the Barrowsiders just held on.