Wexford defeat Waterford to maintain promotion push

Wexford outclassed neighbours Waterford by double-scores to maintain their promotion ambitions in Division 4 following Saturday afternoon's fourth round duel at the SETU Arena, Carriganore.

While an eighth-minute Darragh Corcoran goal anchored a promising start from Waterford, they played second fiddle from the second quarter onwards as Wexford out-shot them by 2-09 to 0-04.

It extends Waterford’s winless run in the league to 12 games since their last success - at the expense of Wexford in 2017 - and leaves them doomed to a thirteenth campaign in the basement division.

Wexford, meanwhile, have set up a pivotal away duel against Sligo next Sunday ahead of back-to-back home dates with Carlow and Wicklow.

Despite a vibrant opening from Wexford – 'keeper Darragh Brooks pointing a free inside a minute – wind assisted Waterford quickly demonstrated huge potential.

And after Darragh Corcoran neglected the option of an advanced-mark after gathering a delivery from midfield to dash through and net an eighth minute 1-00 to 0-01 transformation, the Deise almost had a second goal moments later.

Midfielder Kevin Sheehan located Donal Fitzgerald for a gilt-edged chance on the edge of the square only to be deprived by the sharp Wexford netminder.

But while Wexford tied on 0-03 to 1-00 after eleven minutes through Seán Nolan and Glen Malone, the home-side bounced 1-02 to 0-03 clear as Conor Murray and Jason Curry kept Ephie Fitzgerald's charges on the front foot.

Wexford began to gain the upper-hand in the second quarter, and a counter-attack sparked by their 'keeper saw Kevin O’Grady led an offensive which ended with Seán Nolan providing the telling pass for Mark Rossiter to net a 1-3 to 1-2 turnaround on 21 minutes.

Brian Lynch restored parity