The Deise lead 1-7 to 0-9 at the interval and made what could prove to be match-winning breakthrough on 18 minutes when from a rebounded Paul Flynn free, Dan Shanahan stooped low to fire a ground shot into the Cork net from the edge of the square.

The fit-again Flynn, whose right knee is heavily strapped, helped Waterford to level at 0-3 apiece before Shanahan goaled for the second time against the Rebels in this year's championship.

Tony Browne and Seamus Prendergast scored notable overs for the Deise, last year's Munster champions, but the Rebels have mustered four of the last five points in the first half to really pressurize Waterford's lead.

Joe Deane arrowed over his second and third points of the afternoon, while Ben O'Connor also set up his twin brother Jerry for a 33rd-minute score and Tom Kenny raised the final white flag with an excellent effort from the left flank.