Waterford 3-14

Wexford 1-18

Waterford registered their first championship victory since 2011 after withstanding a late Wexford rally in the first of this year's All-Ireland senior football qualifiers at a sun-kissed Innovate Wexford Park.

Goals from JJ Hutchinson, Shane Ryan and substitute Joe Allen propelled Tom McGlinchey's underdogs to a famous win after a late Naomhan Rossiter goal for the hosts made for a nail-biting finish. While the final whistle brought delight for the Deise, it was a desperately disappointing result for Wexford who came into this first-ever championship meeting of the neighbouring counties as firm favourites after running Laois close in the Leinster SFC.

Jason Curry and Conor Murray fired the winners into an early lead before Wexford responded with points from Ben Brosnan, John Tubritt, Eoghan Nolan and Donal Shanley (two frees) to lead by 0-5 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. But Waterford took control with goals from wing back Ryan and full forward Hutchinson over the next 10 minutes to open up a 2-6 to 0-7 lead.

Paul McLoughlin's men hit back with points from Brosnan (two) and Shanley (free) to trail by 0-10 to 2-7 at the interval.

Allen stretched the visitors' advantage to 3-9 to 0-11 after 47 minutes following a quick break out of defence. Wexford had a goal controversially disallowed when Shanley was adjudged to be in the 'square' before centre back Rossiter netted in the final minute of normal time to reduce the gap to four points, 1-16 to 3-14.

But despite six minutes of injury-time being allotted, the Modelmen couldn't rescue the game as Waterford enjoyed a rare day in the sun.

Waterford: Stephen Enright; Aidan Trihy, Stephen Prendergast, James McGrath; Brian Looby, Michael Curry, Shane Ryan (1-0); Tommy Prendergast (0-1), Kieran Power (0-2); Gavin Crotty, Dylan Guiry, Conor Murray (0-3), Jason Curry (0-6, 5 frees), JJ Hutchinson (1-2), Jack Mullaney. Subs: Joe Allen (1-0) for Crotty (black card, 50); Thomas O'Gorman for Power (51); Conor McCarthy for Murray (73); Mark Cummins for S Prendergast (black-card, 75).

Wexford: Conor Swaine; Michael Furlong, Eoin Porter, Conor Carty; Shane Doyle, Naomhan Rossiter (1-0), Tiarnan Rossiter; Brian Malone (0-1), Eoghan Nolan (0-1); James Stafford, Ben Brosnan (0-3), Glen Malone; David Shannon, Donal Shanley (0-9, 6 frees), John Tubritt (0-4). Subs: Robert Frayne for Shannon (half-time); Martin O'Connor for Doyle (half-time); Nick Doyle for Nolan (42); Barry O'Connor for T Rossiter (48); Craig McCabe for Brosnan (57); Donnacha Holmes for Stafford (63).

Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath).

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