Monaghan probably surprised themselves as much as Waterford in Parnell Park yesterday by winning the Division One league title, their fourth of the decade, in such a convincing manner.

Monaghan had it all but wrapped up by half-time. Three goals and a couple of points at that stage ensured that Waterford would always struggle to recover and unlike last year's championship final they fell well short of pulling it off.

The Monaghan players took everything that came their way. Angela Larkin claimed the first goal on 13 minutes after picking up a pass from Diane Dempsey and forcing it past Sarah Hickey in the Waterford goal. Ciara McGuinness scored the second less than five minutes later when she took a ball on the ground from Dempsey and dribbled it past Hickey. Number three on 23 minutes was the most impressive as Edel Byrne made all the space she needed from 25 yards out and strolled in to make it 3-1 to 0-3.

Only a late succession of points by Waterford restored respect to the scoreline but otherwise all the glory went to Monaghan.

MONAGHAN: M Gray; M Kelly, B McAnespie, A O'Reilly; N Kindlon, J Treanor, M Croarkin; J Greenan (0-1) E Byrne (2-0); B Swift, A Larkin (1-2, two frees), M Kierans (0- 1); D Mulligan, D Dempsey (0-2), C McGuinness (1-0). Subs: B McGinn for Kelly (48 mins), E McElvaney for McAnespie (56 mins), A O'Reilly for Muillagan (13 mins).

WATERFORD: S Hickey; O Condon, S Ryan, N Walsh; A Crotty, D O'Rourke, J Torpey; M Ryan (0-2), C Casey (0-3); M O'Donnell, R Hallahan (0-2), D Nagle (0-1); A Wall (0-2), C Ryan (0-1), C O'Ryan (0-1). Subs: P Walsh for Nagle (35 mins), B Hannigan for Crotty (48 mins), N Barry for O'Ryan (52 mins).

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).