Waterford 3-14

Wexford 1-18

Tomás McCarthy reporting at Innovate Wexford Park

Victory at long last for the Waterford footballers.

Goals from Shane Ryan, JJ Hutchinson and Joe Allen gave the long-suffering Déise their first championship win in seven years this afternoon.

It was a sizzling display from the Division 4 outfit who had endured fourteen losses and a draw since their last success over London in 2011. Manager Tom McGlinchey danced a jig on the sideline at full time after they withstood a late Wexford onslaught.

They emptied the tank all over the field in the blistering heat. Tommy Prendergast, Conor Murray, Kieran Power and JJ Hutchinson were immense.

Hutchinson’s unstoppable strike is a goal of the season contender. Wexford full forwards Donal Shanley and John Tubritt scored thirteen points between them but they couldn’t catch the vibrant visitors.

Waterford dominated possession from the throw in but found themselves 0-5 to 0-2 adrift after fourteen minutes. Shanley, Ben Brosnan, Tubritt and Eoghan Nolan raised white flags for the hosts.

A cool finish from Shane Ryan levelled up matters on the quarter hour. The number six burst forward to collect a Hutchinson pass and slot past Conor Swaine.

Shanley reclaimed Wexford’s lead but Waterford hit back with four unanswered points (Jason Curry, Hutchinson, Power and Prendergast).

On 26 minutes, Brian Looby laid off to Hutchinson and the Gaultier attacker fired a rocket to the top corner. Wexford notched the last three singles of the half to leave them three down at the interval (2-7 to 0-10).

The leaders lost Gavin Crotty to a black card but his replacement Joe Allen rifled a low shot to the net within three minutes of his introduction. The silky Conor Murray pushed the gap out to seven (3-9 to 0-11).

Shanley and Tubritt continued to trouble the Waterford backs and Shanley had a goal disallowed six minutes from time. The away team always threatened on the counter attack.

Three Jason Curry points and one apiece via Murray and Hutchinson put them on the cusp of a famous result (3-14 to 0-15).

There was a heartstopping finish in store however during six added minutes. Naomhan Rossiter forced home a goal and top scorer Shanley sent over three frees to cut the deficit to two.

The Waterford players rejoiced when Cormac Reilly finally called a halt to proceedings.

Scorers for Waterford: Jason Curry 0-6 (5fs), JJ Hutchinson 1-2, Shane Ryan. Joe Allen 1-0 each, Conor Murray 0-3, Kieran Power 0-2, Tommy Prendergast 0-1.

Scorers for Wexford: Donal Shanley 0-9 (7fs), John Tubritt 0-4, Naomhan Rossiter 1-0, Ben Brosnan 0-3, Brian Malone, Eoghan Nolan 0-1 each.

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Waterford

1. Stephen Enright (Ballinacourty)

7. Aidan Trihy (Clashmore)

3. Stephen Prendergast (Kilrossanty)

4. James McGrath (The Nire)

5. Brian Looby (Ballinacourty)

9. Michael Curry (Rathgormack)

6. Shane Ryan (The Nire)

8. Tommy Prendergast (Kilrossanty)

11. Kieran Power (Dungarvan)

10. Gavin Crotty (Dungarvan)

12. Dylan Guiry (The Nire)

15. Conor Murray (Rathgormack)

13. Jason Curry (Rathgormack)

14. JJ Hutchinson (Gaultier)

2. Jack Mullaney (Stradbally)

Subs:

17. Joe Allen (Dungarvan) for Crotty (BC 41)

23. Thomas O’Gorman (The Nire) for Power (51)

20. Conor McCarthy (Ballinacourty) for Murray (73)

18. Mark Cummins (Brickey Rangers) for Stephen Prendergast (BC 75)

Wexford

1. Conor Swaine (Horeswood)

2. Michael Furlong (Adamstown)

3. Eoin Porter (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown)

4. Conor Carty (Castletown)

5. Shane Doyle (Ballyhague)

6. Naomhan Rossiter (St Mary’s Rosslare)

7. Tiernan Rossiter (St Mary’s Rosslare)

9. Brian Malone (Shelmaliers)

10. Eoghan Nolan (Shelmaliers)

12. James Stafford (Glynn-Barntown)

11. Ben Brosnan (Castletown)

8. Glen Malone (Shelmaliers)

17. David Shannon (St John’s Volunteers)

14. Donal Shanley (St Fintan’s)

15. John Tubritt (Fethard)

Subs:

23. Robert Frayne (Duffry Rovers) for Doyle (H-T)

24. Martin O’Connor (HWH Bunclody) for Shannon (H-T)

19. Nick Doyle (Starlights) for Nolan (42)

25. Barry O’Connor (St Martin’s) for Tiernan Rossiter (48)

20. Craig McCabe (Shelmaliers) for Brosnan (57)

22. Donnchadh Holmes (Castletown) for Stafford (63)

Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath)

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