Two goals in each half without reply from a shell-shocked Waterford United saw Bohemians cruise almost effortlessly into the next round.

Apart from a heavy playing surface, conditions were almost perfect at the RSC. Bohemians may have been quietly confident of victory beforehand, but even they were taken aback at their total dominance of the game.

United stayed with the visitors for the first half hour, during which both sides had opportunities to score. But when Bohemians found the net twice in three minutes, the pendulum swung in their favour until the referee's whistle brought a merciful release to Waterford's agony.

Waterford were forced to start the game without injured strikers Jason Kabia and Joe Keith; but worse was to come and arguably their best players, Robert Griffin and Alan Reynolds, were substituted through injury, as was goalkeeper Michael Devine. That said, even before the substitutions, Bohemians looked stronger, faster and more skilful than their opponents.

The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute when Tony O'Connor released the ball to Brian Mooney. He crossed from the left to Derek Swan and he struck the roof of the net with a powerful shot from 12 yards.

Two minutes later, Mooney fired off a 20-yard volley which was tipped over the bar by United goalkeeper Michael Devine. Man of the match Paul Byrne took the corner from the right and Graham Doyle was perfectly positioned to score from close range.

The Dublin side made it 3-0 eight minutes into the second half following a corner by Byrne from the left. The ball was cleared back to Byrne and he laid it off for Robbie Brunton, who provided a superb cross for Ray Kelly, who had no trouble finding the net from six yards.

The fourth goal came in the 76th minute. Substitute Graham Lawlor provided the cross with his first touch and Doyle crashed the ball to the net on the volley from just inside the area for his second, and the game's final score.

Waterford United: M Devine, D Smith, D Kelleher, J Lacey, S Riordan, T McGrath, J Power, A Reynolds, B Wood, P Gully, R Griffin. Subs: A Kelly for Griffin (19 mins), M Reid for Reynolds (44 mins), J Byrne for Devine (half-time).

Bohemians: M Dempsey, T O'Connor, Robbie Brunton, E Mullen, T Byrne, K Hunt, S Maher, P Byrne, D Swan, G Doyle , R Kelly. Subs: B Mooney for T Byrne (30 mins), P Hanrahan for Swan (57 mins); G Lawlor for P Byrne (75 mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).