Waterford in full flow

Waterford 4-18 Offaly 1-14:DIVISION ONE/Group Two: Waterford finished the league on a high note with a victory over Offaly at St Brendan's Park, Birr, yesterday. Waterford picked off super scores in the first half to build up a 14-point lead at the interval.

Offaly struggled in all areas in the opening half but on the resumption they cut the gap to six points 13 minutes into the half.

Offaly threatened a great comeback but an excellent goal by Paul Flynn put Waterford back in control. Flynn finished with 2-5 and with Ken McGrath and Dave Bennett the trio hit a total of 3-13.

Waterford had first use of the wind but it took them some time to establish their authority. Flynn's 10th-minute goal gave them an early edge but midway through the half the lead was just 1-5 to 0-4.

Waterford carved Offaly open in the last 15 minutes of the half. They hit seven points in succession before an excellent passing movement ended with Ken McGrath shooting to the net in time to give them a 2-12 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Offaly made a great start to the second half, scoring 1-4 inside the first five minutes, the goal coming from a Damian Murray free. When Stephen Brown shot a wonderful point from the left after 13 minutes the lead was down 2-15 to 1-12.

Three minutes later Flynn cut through for his second goal and that took the sting out of the Offaly challenge. Damian Murray scored his second goal four minutes from the end but Waterford hit back with a fourth goal when a Seamus Prendergast shot was deflected to the net.

WATERFORD: S Brenner; B Greene, T Feeney, D O'Brien; D Prendergast, F Hartley, J Murray; P Fitzgerald, T Browne (0-1); O Kelly (0-3), K McGrath (1-2), D Bennett (0-6); J Kennedy, A Moloney (0-1), P Flynn (2-5). Subs: P Queally for Hartley; S Walsh for Fitzgerald; P O'Brien for Kennedy; S Prendergast (1-0) for Bennett; N Power for Greene.

OFFALY: S Byrne; B Teehan, G Oakley, D Franks; S Browne (0-2), J Brady, C Cassidy; N Claffey, N Coughlan (0-1); B Carroll (0-1), G Hanniffy (0-3), B Murphy (0-1); R Hanniffy (0-2), J Errity, D Murray (2-6). Subs: B Whelahan for Brady; S Whelahan for Murphy; S Weir for Oakley; JP O'Meara for Franks.

Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)