Paul Morris levelled for Waterford in the 50th minute and they kicked for home as Waterford managed just a single point in the final 21 minutes of normal time, plus stoppages.

Dunne smiled: “No, there was no panic at all. It was just mayhem, that’s what it was! I was just waiting for the guys to respond again.

“I just felt that full-forward line had them in trouble all the time if we could get the ball into them. At the same time they had (Michael) Brick Walsh playing back as a sweeper and at the same time Kevin Moran was playing back at times as a sweeper too.

“But when Waterford felt they needed to go and win the game and Kevin Moran pushed up, it created space for our fellas and we took advantage of it.

“We still missed chances though so we have a lot to improve on still.”

Wexford registered 15 wides over the course of 70 minutes but Dunne wasn’t pinpointing fatigue as a factor. The Slaneysiders were playing for a third consecutive weekend and will again next Sunday against Limerick in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

And the match stats. http://t.co/QeY0Dzxuqg #SkyGAA pic.twitter.com/r8P3GCvOOA

— Sky Sports GAA (@SkySportsGAA) July 19, 2014

Dunne said: “It was a tough game out there and you have to say there were guys looking a little fatigued at the end of the game and that’s natural enough. We have one of the best trainers that I’ve ever met in Gerry Fitzpatrick and he does a superb job.

“All the guys are in good shape. Our fitness level was questioned for a number of years, but there’s no better way to try to build a team than get the games that we’ve got.

“I’ve said for a couple of years that to get up to play the top teams is what we need to do. These guys will only improve from this regardless of what happens next week.”

Meanwhile, Waterford manager Derek McGrath believes that the county’s fans should look no further than Wexford for an example of what can be achieved by remaining patient with a manager.

McGrath has completed the first of a three-year term and introduced a host of new players in 2014.

And he noted: “There’s a sense of realism among their (Wexford) supporters. People in Waterford would do well to take cognisance of that.”

McGrath added: “Carlow nearly beat Wexford in Wexford Park last year. I think there was two points in it. I was reading up a bit on it last night to see what kind of overlay there was in terms of the team selections.

“I don’t think the same sense of pressure was on Liam (Dunne). There was a realisation among the Wexford public that these lads are doing their best, have good resources, good help behind the scenes and they’re going in the right direction.

“We’ll be looking forward to going again and maybe having a couple of the minors from this year involved again and maybe having a real look at our panel.”Dunne: ‘It was just mayhem, that’s what it was!’

Liam Dunne insisted that there was no panic in the Wexford ranks when Waterford came from seven points down to lead during the second half of this evening’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship qualifier at Nowlan Park.

David Redmond’s 41st minute goal opened up a 3-10 to 0-12 lead for Wexford, but a brace from Colin Dunford had Waterford back in front.

Paul Morris levelled for Waterford in the 50th minute and they kicked for home as Waterford managed just a single point in the final 21 minutes of normal time, plus stoppages.

Dunne smiled: “No, there was no panic at all. It was just mayhem, that’s what it was! I was just waiting for the guys to respond again.

“I just felt that full-forward line had them in trouble all the time if we could get the ball into them. At the same time they had (Michael) Brick Walsh playing back as a sweeper and at the same time Kevin Moran was playing back at times as a sweeper too.

“But when Waterford felt they needed to go and win the game and Kevin Moran pushed up, it created space for our fellas and we took advantage of it.

“We still missed chances though so we have a lot to improve on still.”

Wexford registered 15 wides over the course of 70 minutes but Dunne wasn’t pinpointing fatigue as a factor. The Slaneysiders were playing for a third consecutive weekend and will again next Sunday against Limerick in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Dunne said: “It was a tough game out there and you have to say there were guys looking a little fatigued at the end of the game and that’s natural enough. We have one of the best trainers that I’ve ever met in Gerry Fitzpatrick and he does a superb job.

“All the guys are in good shape. Our fitness level was questioned for a number of years, but there’s no better way to try to build a team than get the games that we’ve got.

“I’ve said for a couple of years that to get up to play the top teams is what we need to do. These guys will only improve from this regardless of what happens next week.”

Meanwhile, Waterford manager Derek McGrath believes that the county’s fans should look no further than Wexford for an example of what can be achieved by remaining patient with a manager.

Boys of Wexford cause havoc again!!! pic.twitter.com/cpaTKXveqC

— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) July 19, 2014

McGrath has completed the first of a three-year term and introduced a host of new players in 2014.

And he noted: “There’s a sense of realism among their (Wexford) supporters. People in Waterford would do well to take cognisance of that.”

McGrath added: “Carlow nearly beat Wexford in Wexford Park last year. I think there was two points in it. I was reading up a bit on it last night to see what kind of overlay there was in terms of the team selections.

“I don’t think the same sense of pressure was on Liam (Dunne). There was a realisation among the Wexford public that these lads are doing their best, have good resources, good help behind the scenes and they’re going in the right direction.

“We’ll be looking forward to going again and maybe having a couple of the minors from this year involved again and maybe having a real look at our panel.”