Waterford manager Tomás Mac a t'Saoir said they laid the foundation for their second win of this season's Lidl National Football League Division 1 campaign with a strong opening-half display against the wind.
They went in level at 1-05 to 0-08 against reigning league champions Kerry, with Lauren McGregor getting the goal.
"We played in patches," said Mac a t’Saoir. "We got 1-01 without reply early in the second half and when you have the wind and get two or three scores on the bounce it does open up the game a bit and forces the opposition to try and play a bit more on the front foot instead of trying to defend their own goal.
"The goal that we got in the first half laid the foundation for us but the 1-01 after half-time probably got us out the gate."
Both sides adapted to the new rules quite well in the opening round and the same was the case at Fitzgerald Stadium with the solo and go in particular a prominent feature with Waterford particularly adept at using it.
"Credit to the referees and the rules committee who have done a great job with the new rules. You can see contests for the ball now. The girls are happy to go and contest the ball and are delighted to be able to do it," added Mac a t’Saoir.
Kerry, who beat Dublin in the opening round, played with a gale force wind in the first half and manager Mark Bourke lamented not getting more scores when they had the elements.
"I thought it was a very competitive game. The game could have got away with their second goal. We came back and got a goal nearly straight away so it was great to see that. Leah McMahon did well coming on there helping out the forward line. There were a few really good pieces of play.
"Some really good scores from both sides. Maybe we could have had more opportunity in the first half. Those small margins make the four point difference," said Bourke.
Rachel Dwyer slotted her third point for Kerry after the restart but then Bríd McMaugh scored a brilliant lobbed goal after excellent approach work from Aine O’Neill and Clare Walsh.
The superb McMaugh added another fine individual point nine minutes in, but Kerry replied brilliantly when McMahon, just on, fed the lethal Dwyer who finished superbly past Katelyn Gardiner.
Waterford responded well and a couple of points from McMaugh and a superb two-pointer from Chloe Fennell pushed the visitors 2-10 to 1-09 ahead.
Dwyer responded with a free but although there was time for Siofra O’Shea to slot a placed ball and agonisingly rattle the crossbar, Waterford added points from Katie Murray and a Fennell free to seal a brilliant second victory for the Déise.
