Down seldom had to move out of second gear to brush aside Waterford's challenge at Newry yesterday.

Manager Peter McGrath named five newcomers in his starting line-up and they responded by racing to a 0-8 to 0-1 half-time lead.

The second half was little different and a Michael Walsh goal and a string of unanswered points from Patrick Bradley and Conor Daly saw them run out convincing winners.

DOWN: P Travers; K McGrath, C Byrne, B Grant; M McMurray, B Kearney (0-1), J Lavery; A Molloy (0-1), L Doyle (0-2); P McCartan, M Walsh (1-0), C Daly (0-5); P Bradley (0-4), A O'Prey (0-1), R Murtagh (0-2). Subs. M McGill for Kearney; J Fagan for O'Prey; M Doran for Walsh; K Murphy for Bradley, K O'Hare for McMurray (all 60 mins.).

WATERFORD: P Houlihan; I Walsh, J Phelan, M Byrne; L Dalton, D Ryan, S Briggs; G Hurney (0-3), D Kiely; D Kelleher, G Walsh, M Radley; E Doherty (0-1), K Walsh (0-1), F Halpin (0-2). Subs. P Power for Kelleher (36 mins), M O'Brien for Radley (36 mins), A Ryan for K Walsh (59 mins).

Referee: P McCann (Westmeath).