Wicklow claimed top spot in Group 2 of the Tailteann Cup following a shaky victory over Waterford at Chadwick's Wexford Park.
Nine points down at one stage in the first half, the Garden County rallied back to ease out comfortable winners.
Joe Prendergast opened the scoring, cutting inside and popping over in the first minute. Mark Jackson then extended Wicklow's lead. Jason Curry retaliated from a free for Waterford’s first score seven minutes in. Mark Kenny continued Wicklow's fast start as he worked the ball around the 'D' to Prendergast, who found a sweet point off his left.
With the breeze at his back, Waterford keeper Aaron Beresford was comfortably finding the far 65 with his kick-outs, which proved costly for Wicklow. For the remainder of the half, the speed at which the Déise could transition cost Oisín McConville’s men. Jason Curry split the posts again to begin the trend of Ciaran Walsh winning frees inside.
Waterford were at this point on top of their own kickout, but Wicklow's as well, and they managed a two-pointer from James Walsh from the next play.
Cathal Baker danced inside the Waterford cover and tapped over a point, but from here it was one-way traffic. Jason Curry again profited from a free won by Ciaran Walsh. The double act contributed another Curry free minutes later.
Conor Murray then scored an audacious two-pointer on the run before Waterford’s Stephen Curry nearly scored a three-pointer, only for Malachy Stone to stop his goal-bound strike, which may have put the game out of Wicklow’s reach. Curry pointed the resulting '45, Stephen Curry then added to Waterford's lead from the resulting Kickout.
Mark Jackson then hit back with a two-point free after a barnstorming Healy run. Jason Curry cancelled this out in the next play as he kicked three two-pointers in a row. Podge O’Toole stopped the rot off his left with a point before half time to put nine between them. A big finish needed, Kenny found a point and Eoin Darcy a massive goal as he beat Beresford from 13 metres out to leave five in it at the break.
To restart the scoring, Darragh Fee and Kenny landed points. Jason Curry continued his exhibition and landed two frees to cancel this out, but a breakaway Prendergast point kept up the Wicklow start.
Mark Kenny then, on the loop, added another, Tom Moran got in behind the back of the Waterford defence for his first, and Eoin Darcy turned over his shoulder to score again. Jackson then landed a two-pointer to put Wicklow in front. Up the other end, Jason Curry levelled proceedings, but from here Wicklow were dominant.
Dean Healy converted a super two-pointer. Oisin McGraynor then did really well with a high ball inside and went around Tommy Martin, only to see his shot saved. The rebound came to Prendergast, who tapped home for a vital goal. Eoin Darcy then fisted a point and McGraynor added a free from the resulting kickout.
Dean Healy, who was growing into the game with every second, added another two-pointer, while McGraynor bettered him with an audacious orange flag raiser. The same man converted from a much simpler free moments later.
Waterford, now struggling for possession, found a settler in Donie Fitzgerlad and a further Curry free, but struggled from here. Wicklow now easing home added a point from Kenny, two McGraynor frees and a well-worked Dean Healy goal. Conor Fee polished off a shaky performance as Wicklow left Wexford atop of their section.
Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-05, 1f, 2 tpf); Tom Moran (0-01), Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast (1-03), Patrick O'Keane, Darragh Fee (0-01); Dean Healy (1-04, 2 tp), Padraig O'Toole (0-01); Christopher O’Brien, Eoin Darcy (1-02), Cathal Baker (0-01); Oisin McGraynor (0-06, 3f, 1 tp), Craig Maguire, Mark Kenny (0-04).
Subs: Jack Kirwan for C O’Brien (58), Andy Maher for Joe Prendergast (62), Conor Fee for Mark Kenny (70), Ryan Harrison for Eoin Darcy (72), Liam O’Neill for Cathal Baker (74).
Waterford: Aaron Beresford; Tommy Martim, Jamie Power, Billy Hynes; Donie Fitzgerald (0-1), Adam Crawford, James Power; Tholom Guiry, Rory
Furlong; Michael O’Brien, Conor Murray (0-02, 1 tp), Jason Curry (0-15, 8f, 1, 45, 3 tpf, ); Stephen Curry (0-1), Ciaran Walsh, James Walsh (0-2, 1 tp).
Subs: Alan Dunwoody for Michael O’Brien (53), Caolan Mac Cathmhaoil for Adam Crawford (56), Ciaran Looney for James Wash (68), Loughlan Walsh for Tholom Guiry (68), Darragh Jacob for Donie Fitzgerald (68).
Referee: Barry Kearon, Dublin.
