Waterford made it five wins in a row under Tom McGlinchey as they defeated Wicklow in their Division 4 opener at Fraher Field. Michael O’Halloran kicked four fantastic points for the victors.

After an entertaining first period, Waterford led by 0-9 to 0-7. Five different players contributed scores for the hosts.

Wind assisted Wicklow opened with points from John McGrath (free) and Thomas Kelly. They used a direct approach into full forward Conor McGraynor.

Waterford knuckled down with brisk points by Liam Lawlor, Michael O’Halloran and Patrick Hurney. The sides were locked together five times in the first half.

McGrath and Dean Odlum accounted for three each on the away side. Shane Ahearne was on target with three frees at the other end.

Waterford playmaker Lawlor was forced off with a dead leg on 27 minutes. Gavin Nugent, Patrick Hurney and Ahearne put a distance of three points between them before Odlum closed for business with a late free.

On the resumption, Tadhg Ó hUallacháin fisted over the bar to stretch the lead. Michael Curry then rattled the frame of the goal.

Michael O’Halloran launched a belter from 40 metres to register his third point from play.

Mark Ferncombe and Shane Ahearne split the posts to make the points safe before O’Halloran rounded off the night with a spectacular effort.

Scorers for Waterford: M O’Halloran, S Ahearne (4fs) 0-4 each, P Hurney 0-2, T Ó hUallacháin, M Ferncombe, L Lawlor, G Nugent 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wicklow: D Odlum 0-4 (2fs), J McGrath 0-3 (2fs), C McGraynor 0-2 (2fs), T Kelly 0-1.

Waterford: S Enright; D Crowley, R Ó Ceallaigh, T O’Gorman; T Ó hUallacháin, M O’Gorman, C Phelan; S Ahearne, T Prendergast; M Curry, M O’Halloran, P Hurney; L Lawlor, J Veale, G Nugent.

Subs: M Ferncombe for Lawlor (27), L Ó Corraoin for Veale (43), P Whyte for Nugent (50), S Prendergast for Phelan (58), O Keevers for Curry (62), D Grey for T O’Gorman (73).

Wicklow: R Lambert; A Murphy, P Cunningham, A Byrne; D Healy, S Kelly, R O’Brien; P McLoughlin, A McLoughlin; D Woods, J McGrath, D Hayden; D Odlum, C McGraynor, T Kelly.

Subs: S Furlong for Kelly (H-T); M McLoughlin for Woods (43); M Kenny for McGrath (48); C Murphy for Byrne (52), P McWalter for O’Brien (58).

Referee: M Collins (Cork)