TWO sweet points from long range sideline cuts by Johnny Pilkington were the highlights in Offaly's excellent and important victory at Dungarvan yesterday.

Offaly manager Eamonn Cregan showed no emotion when informed that Cork had been beaten and victory for his team gave them a quarter final place. "To be honest we came down here to win and avoid relegation," he said. "Nothing else was on our minds, a draw would, have been no good to us. When are, the quarter finals anyway?"

Waterford's performance was full of heart and heat, but they were unable to outplay or outwit the staunch Offaly defence and, translate their determined approach into vital scores.

In fairness, though, Jimmy Beresford and company found the Offaly cover having one of its best days for a long time.

The home side won the toss but made the enormous mistake of opting to play into the teeth of a strong wind. They went a point down in 30 seconds when Johnny Dooley, in his first match since before Christmas, knocked over the first of his eight points.

Michael Hickey, Waterford's most effective scorer, levelled the scores minutes later, but from there onwards Offaly opened up a gap.

Pilkington cut his first point from a sideline ball high over the bar from 40 metres after 10 minutes, and his second was struck two minutes later from a position 15 metres further out.

The Leinster champions led 0-10 to 0-3 at half time. Early in the third quarter Waterford had their bone goal chance, but David Hughes deflected Paul Flynn's shot for a 65 - which Hickey failed to convert.

Hickey scored Waterford's sixth point, from a free, midway through the second half, and 14 minutes elapsed before Tom Fives landed their seventh.

Victory for Offaly was not secured without some cost, for Johnny Dooley's right knee, operated on earlier this year, was again giving trouble. "I will have to go back to the surgeon during the week. I twisted it in the first half," he said, ruefully.

John Ryan damaged a calfmuscle, Brian Whelehan suffered groin strain and Martin Hanamy sustained a suspected broken nose.

Johnny Dooley's injury did not affect his brilliance with the placed ball. He pointed from six of these, opting for a point off a penalty after Declan Pilkington was dragged down in the second half.

John Troy got into the action after 20 minutes, replacing Aidan Mannion, and clipped over a point with his first touch. It served to show that Offaly had the edge in reserve as well.