Dublin turned up the heat in the second half to inflict a 0-19 to 0-14 defeat on Waterford at Walsh Park.

The holders went into this match with a 100% record from three previous outings and were firm favourites to prevail but it was Ger Cunningham's men who claimed a third successive victory to join today's opponents and All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in a three-way tie at the top of the table, with all three now assured of a place in the quarter-finals.

The hosts led by the odd point from 15 at the break thanks to four unanswered points in the last 15 minutes before the short whistle from Austin Gleeson (2) and Patrick Curran (2). Prior to that, Eamonn Dillon and David Treacy were instrumental in helping the visitors into a 0-7 to 0-4 lead inside 20 minutes.

A brace of Treacy frees in the 39th and 41st minutes edged the winners in front but Na Deise wrested back the initiative with scores from Jake Dillon and Curran (free).

Dublin got the next five points through Niall McMorrow, Johnny McCaffrey, Chris Crummey, Darragh O'Connell and Treacy to lead by four with 15 minutes to go and late points from substitute Sean Treacy and David Treacy (2) ensured that there was no way back for Derek McGrath's men today.

Dublin - C Dooley; E O'Donnell, C O'Callaghan, O Gough; C Crummey (0-1), L Rushe, S Barrett; D O'Connell (0-1), J McCaffrey (0-1); D Plunkett, N McMorrow (0-1), D Treacy (0-9f); D O'Callaghan (0-1), E Dillon (0-4), F McGibb. Subs: S Treacy (0-1) for F McGibb, S McGrath for S Barrett, C Cronin for D O'Connell.

Waterford - S O'Keeffe; S Fives, B Coughlan, N Connors; P Mahony, T De Burca, K Moran; J Barron (0-1), C Dunford (0-1); M Walsh, P Curran (0-7, 4f, 1'65), J Dillon (0-1); S Bennett (0-1), T Devine, A Gleeson (0-3, 2f). Subs: M Shanahan for T Devine, M Kearney for C Dunford, S O'Sullivan for S Bennett, T Ryan for A Gleeson.

Referee - P O'Dwyer.

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