Man-of-the-match O’Mahony drives Dubs to deserved win over Decies

Dublin 3-10, Waterford 1-7

The margin of the Dubs victory may have flattered them, but over the hour there could be no questioning the justice of their win. Too many of the Waterford players struggled to find the form that had given them sensational victories over Cork and Kerry in their history-making Munster campaign, and basic blunders were punished by a much sharper Dublin.

As a spectacle it was a semi-final that never measured up to expectations. The greasy underfoot conditions certainly didn't help, but neither can they totally explain the mediocrity of the fare for much of the game.

Waterford's cause wasn't helped either by defensive frailties that gifted Dublin two of their three goals. The first in the 10th minute was brilliantly converted by Declan Lally but only after Waterford had inexplicably lost possession in the middle of the field.

That opened up a 1-2 to 0-2 lead for the Dubs and thereafter the Munster champions were playing catch-up without ever seriously threatening to make up the leeway.

With Declan O'Mahony lording midfield with his man of the match performance and senior star Alan Brogan posing a threat whenever he gained possession in attack, Waterford were struggling to stay in touch. Shane Walsh unerringly pointed a "45" on the quarter hour, but the Dublin response was immediate and telling.

The excellent Conal Keaney rifled over a brace of super points, John Noonan added another, and the margin had now extended to six points with the signs beginning to look more and more ominous for Waterford.

Two Billy Harty pointed frees and one from play by Liam O'Lionáin brought them back into contention, but the half was to end catastrophically for them as the Dubs struck for their second goal seconds before the break.

Goalkeeper David Hickey denied Graham Cullen with a blinding save a minute into added time but less then 60 seconds later his citadel had fallen for a second time when he parried Brogan's drive from close range only for the corner-forward to follow up and crash the breaking ball to the net.

That gave the Dubs a commanding seven point half-time advantage, 2-7 to 0-6, and left Waterford with a veritable mountain to climb.

To their credit they came out firing on all cylinders, and it is a measure of their improving performance that they held Dublin scoreless throughout the entire third quarter. The switch of Shane Walsh to centre-forward reaped an early and handsome dividend when he gained possession in the 35th minute and clinically found the back of the net from close range.

With just four points between the sides and the Waterford tails up, there was a genuine glimmer of hope that the fairytale story of the campaign todate might continue. But Waterford's failure to capitalise on increasing possession left the Dubs off the hook. They went all of 16 minutes without a score before Brogan broke their duck with a quality point, and when Noonan added another the Waterford challenge was effectively over.

Disaster befell them in the 54th minute when O'Mahony delivered a speculative drive from more than 40 metres and to the understandable chagrin of keeper Hickey he let the ball to slip through his fingers to the net. Game, set, and match for the Dubs.

A showdown with Tyrone on Sunday week awaits them but, despite the particularly impressive performances given by Mark Fitzpatrick, Declan O'Mahony, Niall Cooper, Conal Keaney, John Noonan and most especially Alan Brogan, they won't need to be told that so much more will be required of them if they are to deny the Ulster champions.

For Waterford the defeat was a disappointing end to a great campaign, but on the day they can have no cribs. Niall Hennessey, John Hurney, Michael and Shane Walsh, and Liam O'Lionáin gave it their best shot but overall the spoils of victory were garnered by the better all round side.

Scorers: Dublin A. Brogan(1-2); D.O'Mahony(1-2); D.Lally(1-0); J. Noonan(0-3); C.Keaney(0-2); N.Kane(0-1). Waterford S. Walsh(1-1); B. Harty(0-3, frees); B.Costelloe, L. O'Lionáin, N.Hennessy(0-1) each.

Dublin: P. Copeland; N. Kane. M. Fitzpatrick. P. Griffin; N. Cooper, B. Cullen, C. Prenderville; D. O'Mahony. P. Brennan; C. Keaney. L. Og O'hEineachain. D. Lally; A. Brogan, G.Cullen. J. Noonan; Subs: D. Murray for B. Cullen; D. Marshall for O'hUineachain; M. Lyons for G. Cullen; G. Smith for Noonan.

Waterford: D. Hickey; M. Crotty. E. Walsh. J. O'Reilly; N. Hennessy, E. Rockett, J. Hurney; S. Dempsey. M. Walsh; L. O'Lionain. M. Power. T. Whelan; B.Costelloe, S. Walsh, B. Harty. Subs: Eoghan Walsh for Costelloe; P. Behan for O'Reilly(inj); T. Halpin for Harty.

Referee; J. McKee, Armagh.