Waterford waltz past dismal Dublin

Waterford 2-24 Dublin 0-13

The hosts were mediocre despite their 17-point winning margin, but in truth they never needed to move out of second gear to see off a Dublin challenge that began brightly but quickly faded.

From a Waterford perspective, the most satisfying feature will have been their 2-21 tally from play yet they are all too aware that sterner tests await.

Dublin opened promisingly and were in front within 20 seconds when corner forward Fergal Chambers lofted over a point. He and Emmet Carroll proceeded to test the hosts with David Curtin also doing well on the 40.

A beautifully struck sideline delivery from 50 metres by Carl Meehan yielded them a double point bonus in the 6th minute and a lead of 0-4 to 0-1. It was a false dawn as Waterford began to take control with ease.

Michael Walsh dominated the centre, and with John Mullane and newcomer Paul O'Brien both looking sharp in the corner-forward berths, the Dubs' resistance quickly began to crumble.

O'Brien scored a super point to bring the Munster champions level in the 9th minute, and he hit an impressive 1-5 tally from play to further enhance his claims to a regular place in the side.

The first Waterford goal came on 14 minutes, created by Mullane and finished in some style by skipper Eoin Kelly. It marked the beginning of the end for the Dubs.

The home side's second goal came a minute before the break, with O'Brien the executioner after superb goalkeeper Gary Maguire had denied Mullane. That opened up a seven point gap, 2-10 to 0-9, at half time and the outcome looked increasingly inevitable.

With their already depleted ranks ravaged even more by further withdrawals during the past week, Dublin now had all the appearances of a side doing nothing more than fulfilling a fixture.

The excellent Curtin continued to play his heart out against the odds, but Dublin's cause certainly wasn't helped by the strange decisions that resulted in the substitution of corner forwards Carroll and Chambers, the latter showing his obvious annoyance as he reached the dugout.

The points continued to flow with the minimum of effort for Waterford. The introduction of Tony Browne and Paul Flynn livened things up for them and both showed enough to suggest they are fast nearing full fitness.

They each got on the scoresheet as O'Brien continued to steal the show with some quality points. Defender Brian Wall capped a solid all-round performance with the final score of the game.

League wins won't come easier than this one for Waterford, and a lot more will be required against Galway and Clare in the next two vital weekends.

Scorers: Waterford; P. O'Brien (1-5); E Kelly(1-5, 0-2 frees, 0- 1 "65"); M Walsh (0-4); D Bennett (0-3, 0-1 free); J Mullane (0-3); D Shanahan, T Browne, P Flynn, B Wall (0-1) each. Dublin; D Curtin (0-7, 0-6 frees); C Meehan 0-2, sideline) F Chambers (0-2); E Carroll (0-1); J Kingston (0-1).

WATERFORD: C Hennessy; T Feeney, F Hartley, D Coffey; E Murphy, J Murray, B Wall; D Bennett, B Phelan; D Shanahan, M Walsh, E Kelly; P O'Brien, S. Prendergast, J Mullane. Subs; T Browne for Bennett (yellow carded 49th min); E McGrath for Walsh; P Flynn for Shanahan; A Moloney for Phelan.

DUBLIN: G Maguire; G O'Meara, T Russell, S O'Shea; C Billings, S Hiney, P Bergin; C Meehan, G Bennett; D Sweeney, D Curtin, E Moran; E. Carroll, J. Kingston, F Chambers, Subs: A McCrabbe for Moran; S Daly for Bergin; M Breathnach for Chambers; S Mullen for Carroll; C Hennebry for Russell.

Referee: Ger Harrington, Cork.