Dublin 1-19 Waterford - 1-14 Described by manager Kevin Fennelly as his side's best game since he took charge, Dublin produced the surprise of the day at Parnell Park to leave Waterford's qualification chances for the knock-out stages up in the air.
It all went right for Dublin as they delivered before a good attendance. Their attack, with the exception of Kevin Flynn, posted a healthy return of 1-10 from play, in contrast to Waterford whose 17 wides told their own story.
After the poor display against Clare, Fennelly was full of praise for his side. "Make no mistake, Waterford came up here for the two points today. Unfortunately though like a lot of teams, they are a bit shy in front of goal."
While there was no doubting the quality of some of the Waterford scores, the quantity was another issue altogether. By half-time they trailed by two points, but had plenty of chances to put up a substantial score before the break.
Three quick scores from Waterford in the five minutes after the interval brought the teams level on 11 points and they suggested the visitors had finally found their feet. But Dublin then posted 1-5 without reply.
The opening exchanges were shaded by Waterford, with two fine points from half forward Dan Shanahan underlying some classy hurling from the Munster side.
Dublin, however, managed to keep in touch and a fine goalline save by Dublin back Kevin Ryan from a Paul Flynn penalty on 18 minutes was highly significant. A goal would have put Justin McCarthy's men ahead, but instead, from that point they never managed to overtake their opponents.
A Shane Martin point from the touchline, after he caught a puck-out from Brendan McLoughlin, was undoubtedly the score of the afternoon from Dublin's joint top scorer. He then played in Ger Ennis on 57 minutes for the deciding goal of the game.
Ennis, having taken a ball played in from the right, then lobbed the ball over Stephen Brenne to leave Dublin with a commanding 1-15 to 0-12 lead.
Ken McGrath restored some pride for Waterford with a goal from a well-struck free in the dying seconds.
DUBLIN: B McLoughlin; P Brennan, S Perkins, D O'Reilly; K Ryan, L Ryan, S Hiney; C Keaney (0-3, 2 frees), C Meehan (0-1); D Sweeney (0-3), P Maguire (0-1), S Martin (0-5); G Ennis (1-1), D Curtin (0-5, all frees), K Flynn. Subs: C Wilson for Ennis (67 mins), T Moore for Sweeney (68 mins).
WATERFORD: S Brenne; T Feeney, J O'Connor, B Flannery; T Browne, F Hartley, J Murray; P Queally (0-1), E McGrath; D Bennett (0-1), K McGrath (1-5, 2 frees, one 65), D Shanahan (0-2); M White (0-1), S Prendergast, P Flynn (0-3, all frees). Subs: J Mullane (0-1) for Bennet (half-time), P Fitzgerald for Prendergast (49 mins), E Murphy for T Browne (59 mins).
Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)
