Waterford crashed out of the Munster championship after a 2-22 to 0-16 defeat to Clare at sunny Semple Stadium.
Man of the match Tony Kelly shot thirteen points while Ian Galvin and Cathal Malone goaled in either half as the Banner collected back to back wins. The Déise finished with fourteen men as Calum Lyons was dismissed on two yellows in the first half. Davy Fitzgerald's side will complete a disappointing provincial campaign against Tipperary on May 28.
Waterford were guilty of twelve first half wides as they trailed 1-10 to 0-10 at the break. The sides were level four times in the first quarter.
Stephen Bennett converted four frees and Austin Gleeson marked his return with a superb point from the Old Stand sideline.
On 21 minutes, Tony Kelly flicked the ball away from Mark Fitzgerald as he advanced on the Clare goal. The ball was fired down the other end of the field and David Fitzgerald set up Ian Galvin for a green flag (1-7 to 0-5). Bennett, Gleeson and Jamie Barron closed the gap to two.
Calum Lyons was sent off on a second yellow for a hurley trip on Ryan Taylor. Kelly and Gleeson traded frees as the Banner led 1-10 to 0-10 at the break.
A Waterford hurley carrier and a Clare mentor were red carded before the second half started. Dessie Hutchinson pointed within 12 seconds of the restart. Billy Nolan blocked a Tony Kelly shot but the former Hurler of the Year sent over seven points in the third quarter. With seventeen minutes left, a Peter Duggan flick created a goal for Cathal Malone.
Hutchinson and Patrick Curran hit consolation points as the game petered out in front of 14,320 supporters. A late free brought Kelly's tally to thirteen.
