Big Joe Bergin goaled twice as Offaly got the better of Waterford, winning 3-14 to 0-15 in Birr, to join the Deise in the NHL Division One quarter-finals.
The Faithfuls earned a shot at Tipperary next Sunday as they claimed second spot in Division 1A with an impressive display.
Former minor star Bergin landed two points in the opening eight minutes, which Paul Flynn replied to with a brace of frees. But a fired-up Offaly moved 1-04 to 0-02 clear as Bergin palmed home to the Waterford net on 10 minutes and Dylan Hayden and Brian Carroll added points.
By that stage, Justin McCarthy’s visitors were struggling to find their range with their wides tally at seven, compared to Offaly’s two.
The Faithfuls widened the gap to 2-10 to 0-04 by the interval. Alan Egan grabbed their second goal, and Carroll added two excellent frees. Waterford could only tag on a further free from Flynn and an Eoin Kelly point from play.
The visitors leaked a second goal to Bergin on 44 minutes, but Waterford showed signs of life with Seamus Prendergast pointing twice, Kelly striking three more overs and Flynn also adding a free.
Kelly then lost the rag when he earned a straight red card for striking a player on the ground. That summed up a disappointing day for the Deise who were already assured of a quarter-final place.
Waterford face Division 1B’s second-ranked side Limerick next weekend and will need to raise their game considerably as the Shannonsiders are unbeaten in all competitions this season.
