MAuRICE Shanahan hit 13 points and fired Waterford to a four-point win over Offaly at O'Connor Park Tullamore. Shanahan was sublime for the Deise men, who recovered from the concession of an early Shane Dooley goal to power to the win with a determined finish, despite hitting 17 wides. Michael Ryan's side now face Westmeath in the next round, where they will be hot favourites to progress after an improved display.
Midway through the second half it looked as if the home side would push on to the win after they overturned a four-point half-time deficit, but led by Shanahan and the excellent Brian O'Sullivan, Waterford finished the stronger.