Wicklow secure promotion with win over Waterford

Oisin McConville's Wicklow have returned to Division 3 at the first time of asking after seeing off a spirited Waterford by six points in Dungarvan.

Waterford were hoping to make it back-to-back victories heading into their impending Munster Championship clash with Tipperary in two weeks’ time, while Wicklow went into the game with a shot of promotion, should other results go in their favour.

That proved the case as Sligo won by a solitary point against Leitrim.

The Déise, buoyed by their first competitive victory in 665 days against London last time out, hadn’t tasted success versus Wicklow since 2017.

Wicklow started the brighter, Cian O’Sullivan’s early free opening the scoring before some fine interplay between Dermot Ryan and Conor Murray saw the latter split the posts to open Waterford’s account on six minutes.

O’Sullivan was on song from the advanced mark moments later, before a mammoth effort from goalkeeper Mark Jackson gave Wicklow a 0-03 to 0-0 advantage. Jason Curry fired over his first of the day to reduce arrears to the minimum with a close range free on sixteen minutes, before a Murray effort which was deemed to have levelled proceedings by the umpires was overruled by referee Fintan Pierce.

Waterford were soon level however as Curry knocked over his second score for Ephie Fitzgerald’s side, though they weren’t level for long as Cian O’Sullivan grabbed his third of the half with a free on the right flank.

The Déise had Paudie Hunt to thank for not being further behind soon after, as he made a fine stop at his near-post to deny Andy Maher. Waterford went up the field and captain Dermot Ryan turned inside his marker and popped over a fine effort, bringing the sides level for the third time.

Wicklow’s midfield