But losing goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn to a nasty head injury robbed Limerick of momentum and Waterford, with Eoin Kelly shooting 1-4, rallied to draw level (1-7 to 2-4) for half-time.

Kevin Moran added a second Deise goal and the hosts cantered clear with Kelly finishing with 1-10 and substitutes John Mullane and Seamus Prendergast also getting on the scoresheet.

McNamara blasted to the net after just 15 seconds' play at Fraher Field, latching onto a long delivery in on top of the Waterford defence.

Davy Fitzgerald's side missed some early chances to reply and McNamara grabbed his second goal in the seventh minute when captain Bryan O'Sullivan lofted the ball in towards the square and the towering Murroe/Boher clubman touched it beyond the reach of goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy and into the net.

However, a 15-minute injury stoppage for Limerick goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn who fell heavily to the ground after shipping a hard challenge from Eoin McGrath stalled the visitors' charges.

Flynn was treated by the medical staff on the pitch and then loaded into an ambulance, with Barry Hennessy coming on in his place.

Points from Nicky Quaid and Alan O'Connor kept Justin McCarthy's young and inexperienced side ahead, when play resumed, but Eoin Kelly was beginning to exert more influence from placed balls.

Kelly hit four points - three from frees - and then knocked a free to the Limerick net in injury-time as the Deise, despite hitting seven wides, got back on terms before the half-time whistle.

Barry Hennessy was beaten again, early in the second half, when Kevin Moran delivered a second goal for a Waterford side that used its greater strength, experience and a wind advantage to telling effect.

Kelly and Maurice Shanahan were among the scorers as the hosts scored eight unanswered points to race ahead on the scoreboard and kill off the Limerick challenge.

By the midpoint of the second half, they were 2-15 to 2-7 ahead with O'Sullivan, substitute Thomas O'Brien and Quaid contributing Limerick's additional points.

O'Brien impressed with a three-point tally but Waterford, with Kelly scoring 1-08 from placed balls, proved too strong in the end.