Waterford had the better of the opening exchanges at Dungarvan on Saturday and while visitors Monaghan kept in touch they were fortunate to go in at the break on level terms, 0-5 each.

Monaghan were a totally transformed side in the second period and within two minutes of the restart Dermot McArdle gave them the lead for the first time - a lead they never relinquished. Four minutes later they scored the game's only goal when man of the match Declan Smyth coolly crashed the ball to the net from a McArdle delivery.

Despite Ray Hennessey giving Waterford some hope with two points in as many minutes Monaghan quickly re-asserted their superiority scoring four unanswered points in the closing stages for a deserved victory.

Monaghan: D McCarville; G McQuaid, D Duffy, N Marron; M SLowey, D Clerkin (0-1), D McArdle (0-1); C McCaul, R Treacy; D Freeman (0-2), P O'Connor (0-3) T Freeman; D Smyth (1-1), G Flanagan, C Tavey (0-2). Subs: S Mullan for McQuaid, M Daly for Flanagan, B McGinnity (0-2) for T Freeman, P Jones (0-1) for O'Connor.

Waterford: P Houlihan; K Coffey, M Fitzgerald, M Kiely; N Geary, N Murray, E Clifford; R Power (0-1), W Kavanagh; E Doherty (0-4), V Murray, S Cunningham (0-1); G Hurney, R Hennessey (0-2), J O'Kiely. Subs: K Whelan for Clifford, M Ahearne for V Murray, L Hurney for Noel Murray.

Referee: J Geaney (Cork).