Kildare were not flattered by their five-point win over Waterford at Dungarvan on Saturday. They raced into a five-point lead in the opening 13 minutes, despite missing a penalty, when Martin Lynch's effort was excellently saved by Tom Brennan. Goals from Niall Curran in the 14th and 23rd minutes saw Waterford get to within two points, 0-9 to 2-1, at half time. But Kildare opened the second half in impressive fashion, scoring three unanswered points in a nine-minute spell to open up a five-point gap once again. Waterford's cause was not helped on 40 minutes when Michael Fenton was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Waterford had to wait until the 19th minute of the second half for their first score of that period, when Don McMahon pointed. The sides shared six points in the final minutes but there was no denying Kildare a deserved victory.