Waterford 6-17; Dublin 2-12: Waterford, despite their poor record of late against Dublin, claimed the points at Parnell Park on Saturday to take an overnight lead in Division One A.
Successful in their last three league outings against the 2002 Munster champions, Dublin went into this game with added optimism after an encouraging display against Clare last month.
But this young Dublin side never got to grips with the physical presence of half-forward Dan Shanahan, while corner forward John Mullane, the only player to maintain his position in attack from the last game, accommodated his fellow forwards effectively.
The decision by Waterford manager Justin McCarthy to "cast the net out wide" paid handsome dividends.
The man who was to ultimately claim the plaudits was UCC student, Paul O'Brien. The Tallow forward hit 3-2, the hat-trick completed on 72 minutes.
But significantly both managers pointed to the display of Waterford goalkeeper Ian O'Regan.
Despite two early efforts from David Sweeney, Dublin were for long periods inactive going forward. The only time they managed back-to-back scores came at the end when Shane Martin grabbed a consolation goal.
But crucially when they needed a score to lift them, O'Regan pulled off a tremendous save to deny Tommy Moore.
It came after Waterford had twice found the back of the net through Shanahan and Paul Flynn to open a 2-2 to 0-1 lead.
Waterford claimed their third goal on 10 minutes when Mullane benefited from another defensive lapse to kick the sliotar over the line.
Conal Keaney, back in the attack after missing the game against Clare, was then unsuccessful from a penalty and a 20-metre free.
Waterford added two more goals from O'Brien, the second coming following a fine lay-off from Mullane just after the half-hour mark.
Dave Curtin, Dublin's top scorer on the day with six points from the dead ball, attempted to keep Dublin afloat. But the visitors continued to pick off their points at will after the break through David Bennett and Seán Ryan.
WATERFORD: I O'Regan; B Phelan (0-1), D Prendergast, L Lawlor; D Coffey, T Browne, E Murphy; M Walsh, D Bennett (0-3); D Shanahan (1-0), S Ryan (0-5), J Kennedy (0-1); J Mullane (1-1), P Flynn (1-4, 3 frees), P O'Brien (3-2). Subs: S O'Sullivan for Mullane (44 mins), B Wall for Walsh (58 mins), A Kirwan for Browne (59 mins), J Wall for Shanahan (65 mins).
DUBLIN: B McLaughlin; A De Paor, S Perkins, D O'Reilly; S Hiney, K Ryan, K Wilson; D Sweeney (0-2), R Fallon; C Keaney (1-1, all frees), D Curtin (0-6, 4 frees, 2 65s), L Ryan (0-1); K Flynn, S Martin (1-0), T Moore (0-1). Subs: S O'Dalaigh for Reilly (25 mins), S Mullen (0-1) for Flynn (57 mins), K Meehan for Ryan (63 mins).
Referee: S Roche (Tipperary)
