The Deise got their SHC qualifier bid off to a satisfactory start as they led by 2-14 to 0-06 at the interval. A 100-yard free from McGrath which arrowed into the hosts' net on 23 minutes and Mullane's effort, three minutes later, were telling blows.

Westmeath fought to the finish with three points from captain John Shaw and a 48th-minute penalty from substitute Brendan Murtagh sparking a mini-revival. But Shanahan's 70th-minute goal, set up by Mullane, sealed the Waterford win.

In the first ever senior hurling championship clash between the counties, Westmeath knocked over the opening point through full-forward Daniel Carthy but two Dave Bennett points pushed Waterford into a lead they never surrendered.

Barry Kennedy landed Westmeath's second point on 12 minutes, but an avalanche of scores followed as the Deise forward lines stepped it up a notch.

The hosts were 0-05 to 2-11 down by the 26th-minute and it would have been more but for goalkeeper Mark Briody. He made two outstanding saves to prevent Eoin McGrath and Michael Walsh cracking home further Deise goals.

While Ken McGrath's goal was something of a fluke, Waterford's second was a well-created one as Shanahan played in Mullane who held his poise to kick the sliotar home with Briody stranded.

However Westmeath ended the half well as points from Enda Loughlin and Carthy (free) cancelled out overs from Bennett and Eoin McGrath.

The underdogs thought they had a legitimate goal, four minutes into the second half, but Derek McNicholas had his major ruled out for a square ball.

Determined to press on, Carthy and wing back Shaw took their tallies to 0-03 apiece with some fine points.

Murtagh's penalty goal left ten points between the sides, but Waterford were holding something in reserve for the closing 20 minutes. Briody camed to his side's rescue again when denying both substitute Jack Kennedy, who was sent off for his second yellow card on 63 minutes, and Shanahan.

Shaw took his haul to 0-05 (3f) in the closing minutes but it was no match for the visitors' firepower. Bennett and Ken McGrath added points with Shanahan's goal putting perhaps a flattering gloss on the scoreline.

Westmeath: M Brody; C Jordan, C Murtagh, P Greville; J Shaw, D McCormack, N Gavin; G Gavin, E Loughlin; D Devine, B Murtagh, A Mitchell; B Kennedy, D Carthy, J Clarke.

Subs used: D McNicholas for Devine (31 mins), P Gilsenan for Mitchell (37), B Smyth for Kennedy (43), J Murray for N Gavin (64), D Faulkner for Clarke (66).

Waterford: C Hennesy; E Murphy, T Feeney, D Coffey; T Browne, J Murray, B Phelan; K McGrath, D Bennett; D Shanahan, S Prendergast, S O'Sullivan; J Mullane, M Walsh, E McGrath.

Subs used: J Kennedy for Prendergast (half time), D Prendergast for Phelan (48) A Kearney for Coffey (60), P O'Brien for Sullivan (62), K Moran for Browne (65).

Referee: Eamonn Morris (Dublin).