Defeats for the Deise in 2002 and 2003 came as major surprises but Justin McCarthy's men - minus collarbone victim Ken McGrath - were ready for the Capital challenge this afternoon.

The Dubs were heavily reliant on David Curtin's free-taking in the first half as he chipped in with five, and Emmett Carroll and Carl Meehan raised two late white flags for a 2-10 to 0-09 half-time deficit.

John Mullane's stirring run and pass for Kelly's 14th-minute goal ignited the Deise and on the stroke of half-time, 2003 All-Star Mullane watched on as his goal shot - although brilliantly saved by Gary Maguire - was netted on the rebound by O'Brien.

Five unanswered Waterford points on the restart all but ended the match as a contest - with Dave Bennett and Paul Flynn on the mark - pushing the home side twelve clear.

Bennett was yellow carded in the closing stages but it mattered little as the over-worked Curtin claimed two more points and watched helplessly as Clinton Hennessy pulled off a magnificent save of the Dublin centre-forward's late penalty.

Eoin McGrath was also denied at the other end by a flying Maguire.

With the decision never in doubt, a late run of a Kelly '65 and a brace from Flynn sent the winless Dubs packing.