Stephen Bennett stars as Waterford leave Clare reeling in Munster Hurling Championship
Waterford have had their day in the sun as they've beaten All-Ireland champions Clare by eight points in a superb display at Walsh Park.
On the occasion of his 100th appearance for the Deise, Ballysaggart star Stephen Bennett contributed 2-8 - the two goals coming in the second half, as Peter Queally's side recorded a deserved victory on what could prove a red letter day for Waterford hurling.
The home side were bidding for a first championship victory against the Banner since the 2020 All-Ireland quarter-final.
Just a point separated the sides in Ennis last year - Waterford crashed out a week later, while Clare went on to lift Liam MacCarthy.
News that Tony Kelly missed out through illness would have given the Waterford faithful a boost - as Shane Meehan came into the fold for Clare.
The Deise won the toss opting to play with the strong breeze in Walsh Park - but it was the Banner who opened the scoring in the opening minute through Cathal Malone.
Stephen Bennett - making his 100th appearance in white and blue - fired over when turning Darragh Lohan to level proceedings, and when he slotted over from a free on five minutes - Peter Queally's men moved into a first-half lead that they wouldn't again relinquish.
Kevin Mahony then picked out the impressive Darragh Lyons to open his account, before Mark Fitzgerald split the posts as the hosts had their tails up. A fine score from Malone kept Clare ticking, but Lyons was soon on hand to punish loose possession and pick out his Dungarvan clubman Patrick Curran to point.
Jamie Barron then spotted Lyons in space and he made no mistake, before a Bennett free and a Barron effort had Waterford 8-3 to the good on the quarter-hour mark.
They then moved seven in front via another Bennett dead ball and Lyons' third of the afternoon, but when Clare needed inspiration - they need not look any further than Peter Duggan, who opened his account with a scintillating sideline cut.
David Reidy then capitalised from Tadhg de Burca misjudging the flight of the sliotar, but Curran and Barron soon combined for the Fourmilewater man to raise a white flag.
A fine score from Shane Meehan was met in turn by Waterford goalkeeper Billy Nolan bombing upfield and scoring with aplomb, but the Banner reeled off three scores in quick succession through Ryan Taylor (2) and Duggan to keep the Deise firmly on their toes.
Barron's third of the afternoon stopped the rot for Waterford but Malone and Meehan combined on the cusp of the interval to make it 0-13 to 0-10 at the break - and with the aid of the elements in the second period, it seemed like despite the scoreboard, this was still Clare's game to lose.
Michael Kiely was introduced at the break - and that proved an absolute master stroke from the Deise management. Dessie Hutchinson pointed his first to open the second half scoring, but that was soon cancelled out by another score from Meehan.
On 42 minutes, Kiely was bearing down on the Banner goal and was dragged down by Adam Hogan - and who better than Stephen Bennett to step up for the penalty that brought about the opening goal. The Ballysaggart ace slipped but the sliotar squirmed past Quilligan to move the hosts six in front.
Barron then picked out Curran to spin away and split the posts as the Deise crowd were in fine voice - before Ryan Taylor arrested the momentary Clare slump.
Brian Lohan's men did respond well to the goal - Ian Galvin very nearly provided the perfect response only to be denied by Billy Nolan, before two scores from David Reidy and a fine Peter Duggan effort made it a three-point affair.
Jamie Barron clipped over a timely score - Waterford's first in nine minutes - before Duggan was on hand again from long range - but the most crucial score of all arrived on 56 minutes.
Shane Bennett combined with fellow substitute Patrick Fitzgerald and his effort appeared to be looping left and wide - but Stephen Bennett was on hand to catch the dropping sliotar and slot home his and Waterford's second goal and the Deise simply never looked back.
The former All-Star knocked over another excellent point soon after, before trading blows with Ryan Taylor - but when Patrick Fitzgerald found a score on 64 minutes, Waterford led by eight and were appearing to be home and dry.
Clare looked dead on their feet and rocked by the second green flag, Hutchinson and Bennett moving the Deise double figures in front - and the outstanding Kiely was also on hand to get in on the act.
Nolan produced a fine stop to deny Duggan once more - two late frees from Reidy either side of another Meehan effort proving consolatory at best - as Waterford won out with eight in hand, the sight of a returning Austin Gleeson capping off a perfect day for those on Suirside.
A result that throws the Munster Championship wide open as Waterford welcome Limerick in six days time - while Clare will need to see off Tipperary at Cusack Park on 10 May if they want to keep their All-Ireland crown.
Waterford: Billy Nolan; Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Mark Fitzgerald (0-01), Tadhg de Burca, Paddy Leavy; Darragh Lyons (0-03) Kieran Bennett; Jack Prendergast, Jamie Barron (0-04), Stephen Bennett (2-08; 0-04f); Dessie Hutchinson (0-02), Patrick Curran (0-02), Kevin Mahony.
Subs: Michael Kiely for Kieran Bennett (HT); Patrick Fitzgerald for Patrick Curran (0-02); Shane Bennett for Kevin Mahony (56); Austin Gleeson for Jack Prendergast (70)
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Darragh Lohan, Conor Leen; Cian Galvin, John Conlon, David McInerney; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone (0-02); Shane Meehan (0-04), Mark Rodgers (0-01), Peter Duggan (0-04; 0-01 sl); Ryan Taylor (0-04), Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy (0-06; 0-02f)
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