In front by 23 points at half time, Waterford hurlers coasted to the easiest of victories over Westmeath at Cusack Park, Mullingar yesterday. Waterford, with the wind behind them, totally outclassed Westmeath in the opening 30 minutes and they had registered 1-8 before Sean McLaughlin got Westmeath's only point of the half in the 16th minute.

Full forward Paul Flynn and corner forward Billy O'Sullivan were lethal in attack. Flynn, magestic from placed balls, scored 1-12 in all while O'Sullivan finished with 2-3.

Goals from O'Sullivan in the 26th minute and from Flynn just on the break helped Waterford to an emphatic interval lead of 3-15 to 0-1, and the second half was merely academic.