As manager of the county attempting to retain the All-Ireland title for the first time since Cork in 1990, Pat O'Shea must seek out deficiencies even after a 17-point margin of victory.

So here was his pitch.

"The second half, particularly, was poor to be fair. We put up a good score at half-time and in some respects that gave us some breathing space. Maybe the guys with experience pulled up a small bit. Maybe we are striving for perfection a bit early in the season but we were a little rusty early on. Some handling errors. Some scoring opportunities that we didn't take. I think we did well overall."

Equally, O'Shea was obliged to note some positives from the mismatch. "Defensively we did well. The new people who came in, Pádraig (Reidy) and Killian (Young), I thought they did very well. Mike Quirke acquitted himself well."

Eoin Brosnan brought his championship tally to 14 goals but the failure of Waterford defenders to track his trademark breaks from deep will not be repeated by the Cork half back line. "He took his two goals well. Again, I'd like to see him on the ball more," said O'Shea.

Is it worrying that Kerry's main rivals for the Sam Maguire have already experienced serious examinations while Kerry must wait until the provincial decider? "This time of the year teams are going to play at different levels. You have to perform every time you go out. I think we are happy where we are."

It must be a concern but O'Shea is hardly going to criticise the current structures in the aftermath of his first championship game in charge. Maybe the question will prove more relevant as the summer unfolds.

Waterford coach John Kiely was not in a mood for elaboration. And that is a rarity. The man talks about football with a relentless enthusiasm but after what had just transpired his reaction was understandable. "We're disappointed with the scoreline but well done to Kerry. They're a super team."

Can this panel regroup for the Tommy Murphy Cup? (What we really meant was does anyone care?) "We won't even think about that right now. We have to lick our wounds. Ah, they are good lads. They'll get over that.

"I thought the backs played well. Thomas O'Gorman at full back. I thought young Justin (Walsh), in the corner did very well. He gave Mike Frank (Russell) a torrid time. Mike Frank is a fair player. (Shane) Briggs did okay on Gooch.

"I'm not disappointed that we are playing Kerry but I would like to have a go against another team in the qualifiers but it's always a pleasure to play against Kerry. Their attack at the start had six all stars."