Stephen Bennett blasted 1-4 from play on his first league start as Waterford blitzed Antrim at Walsh Park this afternoon.

Maurice Shanahan supplied two second-half strikes with Tom Devine also rippling the net as Derek McGrath’s side ran riot in front of 1,558 in this Allianz Hurling League Division 1B clash.

Bennett was denied an early goal by Antrim shot-stopper Chris O’Connell.

Paul Shiels landed two early frees for the visitors before Waterford struck four points in succession.

Pauric Mahony secured two with Kevin Moran and Bennett responsible for the others.

On 18 minutes, Colin Dunford set off on a mazy run and he set up Bennett to smash past O’Connell (1-5 to 0-3).

The Ballysaggart man added two more points close to the sideline to bring his total to 1-3.

Pauric Mahony helped himself to seven singles as Waterford surged 11 points ahead.

The one-way traffic continued during the second period. Mahony, Bennett and Michael Walsh all stretched Waterford’s advantage.

Conor Johnson intervened briefly for an outclassed Antrim side.

Second-half substitute Maurice Shanahan claimed two points on his introduction. Mahony kept the scoreboard ticking over for the home side.

The Ballygunner sharpshooter completed the afternoon with 11 points in his account.

His club colleague Shane O’Sullivan landed a monstrous point from distance.

Maurice Shanahan raised a second green flag on 59 minutes after Michael Walsh provided the assist.

Tom Devine rattled the roof of the rigging with five minutes remaining before Shanahan bagged his second.

Waterford travel to Wexford Park next Sunday with promotion up for grabs.

Scorers: Waterford: Pauric Mahony 0-11 (6fs); M Shanahan 2-5; S Bennett 1-4; T Devine 1-0; M Walsh 0-3; P Prendergast, J Dillon 0-2 each; C Dunford, K Moran, S O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Antrim: P Shiels 0-5 (4fs); Conor Johnson, Ciaran Johnson (f) 0-2 each; S McNaughton (f) 0-1.

Waterford: I O’Regan; S Fives, B Coughlan, N Connors; Philip Mahony, T De Burca, K Moran; J Barron, M O’Neill; J Dillon, M Walsh, Pauric Mahony; B O’Halloran, S Bennett, C Dunford.

Subs: M Shanahan for Bennett (42); T Devine for O’Halloran (42); S O’Sullivan for O’Neill (45); S McNulty for Connors (56); P Prendergast for Pauric Mahony (60).

Antrim: C O’Connell; R McCambridge, N McAuley, A Graffin; S McCrory, C McKinley, M Bradley; N McManus, Ciaran Johnson; N McKenna, T McCann, P Shiels; PJ O’Connell, S McNaughton, C Clarke.

Subs: M Donnelly for Clarke (23); Conor Johnson for McKenna (23); E Campbell for T McCann (H-T); C McCann for E Campbell (H-T); T O Ciarain for S McNaughton (47).

Referee: J Owens (Wexford).