Wicklow executed plenty of control as they beat Waterford 2-15 to 0-14 in last night's Tommy Murphy Cup semi-final at Aughrim to guarantee themselves an unprecedented third summer outing at Croke Park.
Mick O'Dwyer's side set up a decider against Antrim, with an early goal from captain Paul Earls putting them on the right path.
Earls finished with a personal haul of 1-01, while dual player Leighton Glynn, who top-scored with 1-03, was always a threat to the Deise defence.
A fiery first half display from the home side saw them end it on top, armed with a 2-07 to 0-05 lead.
Earls darted through onto a John McGrath pass to rasp home Wicklow's first goal after only six minutes.
Waterford, who put 8-10 past a depleted Carlow side last week, then steadied themselves. However, they leaked a number of frees which Tony Hannon pointed and Glynn rifled home his goal four minutes before the break.
With Mick Ahearne and John Hurney exerting more control at midfield, Waterford came more and more into the game and had their brightest spell on the resumption as free-taker Connie Power kicked four points in 14 minutes.
Liam Lawlor and Paul Ogle tacked on some well-taken points for the Deise, for whom corner forward Power top-scored with 0-07 (0-05f).
But Wicklow held firm, thanks to the cushion of those goals and the tireless efforts of centre-fielders James Stafford and Thomas Walsh, to win through to their first ever Tommy Murphy Cup final.
Having manager O'Dwyer in attendance last night - although the Kerry legend, who is still recovering from a recent minor heart scare, did not take control of the team - was a serious boost to the Garden County.
After reaching an O'Byrne Cup semi-final, playing Louth twice at Croke Park this summer and their latest successes against Offaly and Waterford, Wicklow are having their best year in recent memory.
They have posted seven wins in 15 competitive games this year, and their unprecedented run of form may yet have a silverware finish.
