Waterford 0-22
Wexford 0-16

Tomás McCarthy reports from Innovate Wexford Park

A HUNGRY WATERFORD outfit made an immediate return to Division 1A as they swept aside their hosts by six points in the promotion decider at Innovate Wexford Park.

The away team showed a ferocious appetite for work throughout the seventy and overwhelmed an out of sorts Wexford.

Top scorer Pauric Mahony returned thirteen points for the comfortable winners as Jake Dillon, Colin Dunford and Michael Walsh also impressed up front. The defence only conceded eight points from play. They were ably led by Tadhg De Burca, Austin Gleeson and Noel Connors.

Waterford's Derek McGrath and Fintan O'Connor celebrate Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

The sides were level twice in the first quarter as they traded four points each. Colin Dunford and Stephen Bennett caused all sorts of problems early on. Liam Óg McGovern roused the home crowd with the equaliser after Andrew Shore made a great catch from a puckout. The Waterford half back line led by De Burca and Gleeson started to imposed their will as they crowded out the Wexford forwards.

Derek McGrath’s side picked out their men with snappy passes and shot six points without response. This included four from Pauric Mahony (three frees). Jake Dillon secured his second after a De Burca interception before Austin Gleeson lashed over the score of the half after a fielding a Mark Fanning puckout.

McGovern ended an 18 minute famine for a Wexford white flag. Mahony struck his seventh point to leave the Déise 0-13 to 0-7 in front at the break although they hit ten wides in the process.

Waterford's Philip Mahony with Wexford's Diarmuid O'Keeffe Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

Waterford stretched the lead to eight with three Mahony frees and a single from Dillon. Stephen Bennett was denied a goal at the near post by Fanning. Wexford created a glorious chance at the opposite end but substitute Kevin Foley sent his shot screaming past the left hand post.

The hosts nibbled into the deficit with points through Diarmuid O’Keeffe and Jack Guiney (0-17 to 0-11). On 52 minutes, Stephen O’Keeffe swatted away a McGovern attempt. The away side weathered the storm through the unerring Mahony to secure a spot in the top flight for 2016.

Scorers for Waterford: Pauric Mahony 0-13 (0-11f); Jake Dillon 0-3; Colin Dunford 0-2; Stephen Bennett, Jamie Barron, Austin Gleeson, Tom Devine 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Jack Guiney 0-6 (0-5f); Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Ian Byrne (0-3f) 0-3 each; Liam Óg McGovern 0-2; Conor McDonald, Paudie Foley 0-1 each.

Wexford boss Liam Dunne and Waterford manager Derek McGrath Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

WATERFORD

1. Stephen O’Keeffe

2. Shane Fives
3. Barry Coughlan
4. Noel Connors

24. Austin Gleeson
5. Tadhg De Burca
7. Philip Mahony

8. Jamie Barron
10. Kevin Moran

14. Michael Walsh
11. Pauric Mahony
12 Jake Dillon

13. Brian O’Halloran
22. Stephen Bennett
23. Colin Dunford

Subs
Maurice Shanahan for Bennett (53)
Tom Devine for O’Halloran (60)
Michael Kearney for Dunford (66)
Martin O’Neill for Dillon (68)
Shane O’Sullivan for Barron (71)

WEXFORD

1. Mark Fanning

6. Matthew O’Hanlon
17. Eoin Conroy
2. Liam Ryan

5. Paudie Foley
4. Eoin Moore
7. Andrew Shore

8. David Redmond
9. Lee Chin

10. Diarmuid O’Keeffe
11. Daithi Waters
12. Ian Byrne

19. Podge Doran
14. Conor McDonald
15. Liam Óg McGovern

Subs
Kevin Foley for Byrne (H-T)
Jack Guiney for Doran (H-T)
Harry Kehoe for Redmond (42)
Garrett Sinnott for Moore (49)
Shane Tomkins for Waters (63)

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)

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