Wexford outclassed neighbours Waterford by double-scores to maintain their Division 4 promotion ambitions 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 2021 - and leaves them doomed to a 13th 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 11 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 for a second time on 1-3 apiece, but with the adventurous Waterford ‘keeper inviting danger late in the half - and John Tubritt failed to lob to an empty net - Wexford gained a 1-05 to 1-03 interval advantage as Eoghan Nolan and defender Dylan Furlong prospered late on.
Wexford simply grew in stature with the wind at their backs, and after Eoghan Nolan and Mark Rossiter each helped themselves to early braces, the purple-and-gold consolidated their position when a sweeping move culminated in centre-back Brian Molloy netting a 2-09 to 1-03 lead on 49 minutes.
Seán Nolan fluffed an open goal seconds later, while Wexford were denied a number of other majors before Waterford finished a frustrating experienced with only 14 men following the 65th minute red-carding of Conor Murray for an off-the-ball offence on Conor Carty.
Wexford: Darragh Brooks (0-1 free); Brian Cushe, Páraic Hughes, Michael Furlong; Glen Malone (0-01), Brian Molloy (1-00), Dylan Furlong (0-01); Niall Hughes, Eoghan Nolan (0-03); Darragh Lyons, Seán Nolan (0-01), Conor Carty; Kevin O’Grady, Mark Rossiter (1-03, 0-01 free, 0-01 mark), John Tubritt (0-01).
Subs: Cian Hughes for Lyons (HT), Jim Rossiter for D Furlong (53), Conor Kinsella (0-01) for O’Grady (61), Richie Waters for Carty (67).
Waterford: Aaron Beresford; Ross Browne, Liam Fennell, Conor Ó Cuirrín; Dermot Ryan; Darach O’Cathasaigh, Jordan O’Sullivan; Kevin Sheehan, Brian Lynch (0-01); Michael Curry, Conor Murray (0-01), Jason Curry (0-03, 1 ‘45, 1 free); Donal Fitzgerald, Brian Looby, Darragh Corcoran (1-00).
Subs: Caoimhin Maguire for Sheehan (16), John Devine (0-1) for Fitzgerald (HT), Billy Hynes for Lynch (53), Mark Cummins for O’Cathasaigh (67), Niall McSweeney for Curry (70+1).
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Laois).
