Waterford seemed to be coasting, leading 0-9 to 0-3 after 25 minutes playing into the wind with four points from Ken McGrath and three from John Mullane.

In the lead up to the break Wexford hit a purple patch with Paul Codd, having moved to centre-forward, responded with two points before Rory Jacob crashed home a goal on the 35th minute.

But still the Deise county looked in the happier position when a Davy Bennett point sent them in with a 0-10 to 1-6 interval lead.

The second half belonged to Wexford. Playing with passion and skill they had two quick Paul Codd points to lead for the first time after 39 minutes, 1-8 to 0-10.

Rory Jacob and John Mullane exchanged points but the inspirational Larry Murphy, on as a first half substitute, struck a magnificent point off the left wing to give his side a 1-16 to 0-16 lead with five minutes remaining.

The Waterford challenge was dismantled as the Wexford defence stood firm and it was another substitute, Michael Jordan, who climaxed a devastating second half display from the Model county with the last point of the game.

Wexford: D. Fitzhenry, D. Guiney, D. Ryan, D. O’Connor, D. Stamp (0-1), D. Ruth, L. Dunne, L. O’Gorman, R. McCarthy, M. Jacob (0-2), A. Fenlon (0-1), B. Lambert, R. Jacob (1-3), P. Codd (0-8, 5 frees, 1, 65), C. McGrath.

Subs: L. Murphy (0-2) for Fenlon; M. Jordan (0-2) for Lambert; T. Mahon (0-1) for O’Gorman; M.J. Furlong for McGrath.

Waterford: S. Bremmer, D. Prendergast, T. Feeney, J. Murray, B. Greene, F. Hartley, E. Murphy (0-2), T. Browne, P. Queally, D. Bennett (0-1), S. Prendergast, K. McGrath (0-5), J. Mullane (0-5), D. Shannon (0-1), P. Flynn (0-3, 2 frees).

Subs: A. Moloney for Queally; E. Kelly for S. Prendergast; M. Walsh (0-1) for Browne.

Referee: W. Barrett (Tipperary).

MATCH STATISTICS

WIDES

Wexford 11 (7)

Waterford 13 (3)

FREES

Wexford 8 (3)

Waterford 6 (2)

65’s

Wexford 1

Waterford 1.

YELLOW CARDS

Wexford 2 – Daragh Ryan, Larry O’Gorman

Waterford 3 – F. Hartley, P. Flynn, S. Prendergast.

Red Cards

Wexford 0

Waterford 0