Last year's defeated finalists, Waterford, booked their place in the final when they had a comfortable win over Mayo in a disappointing game at Dungarvan yesterday.

After playing with the assistance of a strong wind, the home side led by 1-7 to 0-4 at the break. The sides had been level twice in the opening 11 minutes, before Waterford hit the front with a brilliant goal in the 13th minute. In a move started in their own defence by Julie Torpey, it involved four players before Torpey herself fired home. Waterford never relinquished the lead.

The winners kicked four points without reply in the third quarter to leave them leading 1-11 to 0-4.

Mayo's only score of the second half came two minutes into the final quarter, when Martha O'Malley goaled; but it was not enough to save a youthful Mayo side, who included three under-14 players in their line-up.

Waterford: S Hickey; P Walsh, S O'Ryan, N Walsh; A Crotty, D O'Rourke, J Torpey (1-0); M O'Ryan (0-1), C Casey (0-6); O Condon, F Crotty (0-1), R Hallahan (0-1); C Ryan (0-1), A Wall (0-4), G O'Ryan (0-1). Sub: D Nagle for G O'Ryan.

Mayo: D Horan; D O'Hora (0-1), H Lohan, S McGing; M Heffernan, R Barrett, N Lally; C Heffernan, C Egan (0-1); S Gibbons, M Staunton, I Mullarkey; M O'Malley (1-1), C Staunton (0-1), S Costello. Sub: M Hayes for Costello.

Referee: O Ryan (Laois).