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 partnership of Dean Healy and Pádraig O’Toole then combined for their first score from play on the cusp of the interval, but the home side responded with another well-taken score of their own, Brian Lynch setting away Jordan O’Sullivan, who recycled to Ryan to avail of his second score in as many minutes.
The half ended on a sour note for the hosts however, as another huge free from goalkeeper Jackson restored Wicklow’s advantage, before Michael Kiely dragged down Andy Maher and received a black card. O’Sullivan knocked over his fourth point, and Oisin McConville’s men were two to the good and temporarily a man to the good at the break.
Dean Healy put Wicklow three ahead within seconds of the restart, before some fine play from Darragh Corcoran and Dermot Ryan allowed Conor Murray to knock over his second score.
Wicklow had an opportunity for the game’s opening goal on 46 minutes, Healy picking out Arran Murphy who fired left and wide.
While there was a 13 minute wait for another score, it ultimately proved crucial when it did arrive - Dean Healy combining with Darragh Fitzgerald before smashing the ball into the far left corner, giving the Garden County a five-point lead and sending them to Division 3 as things stood.
Waterford kept ticking over with Brian Lynch splitting the posts with a fine effort, but with time against them, it looked increasingly unlikely that the Déise would spoil the Wicklow party.
The result was all but confirmed on 65 minutes, as Waterford hit the self destruct button from their own kickout, Eoin Darcy squaring for Cillian McDonald to palm in their second goal and all but secure an imminent promotion.
Leitrim produced an excellent comeback to suddenly frighten that eventuality, before Sligo levelled late on in Wicklow’s favour.
Jason Curry’s third point proved consolatory as it finished 2-08 to 0-08 in Wicklow’s favour, but they waited patiently to hear the final results elsewhere having done their own job.
When news of Sligo’s success filtered through, Wicklow celebrated as they know they will now meet the Yeatsmen in the Division 4 decider.
Waterford: Paudie Hunt; Conor Ó Cuirrín, Darach Ó Cathasaigh, Liam Fennell; Dermot Ryan (0-02), Brian Looby, Jordan O'Sullivan; Michael Curry, Brian Lynch (0-01); Conor Murray (0-02), Darragh Corcoran, Jason Curry (0-03, 3f); Eoghan McGrath-Butler, Sean Whelan-Barrett, Michael Kiely
Subs: Billy Hynes for Sean Whelan-Barrett (51); Donal Fitzgerald for Michael Kiely (64); Dean Reidy for Darragh Corcoran (70); Darren Boland for Conor Ó’Cuirrín (70); Jack Keane for Brian Lynch (70)
Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-02, 2f); Malachy Stone, Eoin Murtagh, Jacques McCall; Cillian McDonald (1-00), Patrick O’Kane, Arran Murphy; Dean Healy (1-01), Pádraig O’Toole (0-01); Sean Murphy, JP Hurley, Andy Maher; Cian O’Sullivan (0-04, 4f), Mark Kenny, Eoin Darcy
Subs: Darragh Fitzgerald for Sean Murphy (41); Craig Maguire for Arran Murphy (48); Johnny Keogh for Cian O’Sullivan (56); Jack Gilligan for Andy Maher (67); Adam McHugh for Dean Healy (70)
Referee: Fintan Pierce (Offaly)
