All-Ireland SHC Qualifiers: Waterford 3-22, Westmeath 1-14 Waterford made a winning start to the All-Ireland qualifiers with a 14-point victory over Westmeath at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

After an admirable showing against Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final last week, Westmeath again managed to keep the scoreline respectable against highly-rated opponents.

Waterford were let down by woeful shooting against Tipperary, but there was nothing wrong with their marksmanship in the early stages on this occasion, as they built a 0-7 to 0-2 lead by the 18th minute.

Midfielder Dave Bennett was in fine scoring form in the opening quarter, while Ken McGrath's deliveries into the forward line created numerous chances. The visitors claimed their first goal in the 22nd minute, when Ken McGrath's huge free went all the way to the net. At least one Waterford player looked to be in the square, but the goal stood.

When John Mullane raised the green flag again in the 26th minute, to give the Decies a 2-11 to 0-4 lead, the game looked over. Mullane kicked to the net after good work by Eoin McGrath and Dan Shanahan.

Waterford led 2-14 to 0-6 at the break, but Westmeath then raised their game. The sides exchanged four points each before Westmeath hit a 49th-minute goal from a penalty by centre forward Brendan Murtagh - following a foul on Joseph Clarke.

Westmeath pressed for another, but it was Waterford who grabbed their third goal in injury-time. Bennett and Mullane did the work and Dan Shanahan supplied the finish.

WATERFORD: C Hennessy; E Murphy, T Feeney, D Coffey; T Browne (0-1), J Murray, B Phelan; K McGrath (1-3, 1-1 from frees, 0-1 from 65), D Bennett (0-7, four frees); D Shanahan (1-2), S Prendergast, S O'Sullivan (0-3); J Mullane (1-2), M Walsh (0-1), E McGrath (0-2). Subs: J Kennedy (0-1) for S Prendergast (half-time); D Prendergast for Phelan (48 mins); A Kearney for Coffey (59 mins); P O'Brien for O'Sullivan (62 mins); K Moran for Browne (65 mins).

WESTMEATH: M Briody; C Jordan, C Murtagh, P Greville; J Shaw (0-5, two frees), D McCormack, N Gavin; G Gavin, E Loughlin (0-1); D Devine, B Murtagh (1-1, 1-0 pen), A Mitchell (0-2, two frees); B Kennedy (0-1), D Carty (0-3), J Clarke. Subs: D McNicholas (0-1) for Devine (30 mins); P Gilsenan for Mitchell (38 mins); B Smyth for Kennedy (43 mins); D Faulkner for Clarke (60 mins); JP Murray for N Gavin (63 mins).

Referee: E Morris (Dublin).