Déise celebrate historic victory

WATERFORD bounced back from their opening day defeat to Wexford to claim a historic first Division Three victory at Fraher Field, Dungarvan.

The hosts, despite the atrocious conditions, played a superb brand of football with sub Mark Ferncombe having a dream afternoon.

Ferncombe, who replaced the injured Joey Veale on 16 minutes, finished with 2-1 with his first goal coming in the 25th minute. It was a well worked team length of the field effort involving seven players with Patrick Hurney providing the final pass for Ferncombe’s clinical finish.

His second goal ten minutes into the second-half effectively sealed Limerick’s fate with Shane Briggs and Mick Ahearne involved in the build up.

With John Galvin driving them on from midfield Limerick tried desperately to narrow the deficit in the closing quarter. But a resolute home defence in which Thomas and Maurice O’Gorman, Shane Briggs and Wayne Hennessy were outstanding kept their composure to ensure home celebrations at the final whistle.

Scorers for Waterford: M. Ferncombe (2-1); T. Prendergast (0-2); S. Fleming (0-2); W. Hennessy, B. Wall (f), E. Walsh (0-1) each.

Scorers for Limerick: G. Collins (0-5, 0-3 frees) ;S. Kelly (0-2); J.Cooke (0-1).

WATERFORD: K. Cotter; Maurice O’Gorman, T. O’Gorman, C. Phelan; E. Walsh, S. Briggs, W. Hennessy; M. Ahearne, T. Prendergast; B. Wall, K. Power, Michael O’Gorman; J. Veale, P. Hurney, S. Fleming.

Subs: M. Ferncombe for Veale, inj (14); K. Connery for Walsh (ht); T. Connors for Power (48); B. Phelan for Ahearne, (inj, 61); M. Donnelly for Hurney, (inj, 69).

LIMERICK: B. Scanlon; M. Riordan, J. McCarthy, B. Fitzpatrick; J. Riordan, E. Fitzgibbon, P. Ranahan; J. Donovan, J. Galvin; S. Kelly, J. Mullane, S. Buckley; I. Ryan, J. Cooke, G. Collins.

Subs: M. McCormack for Fitzpatrick (4); D. Ward for Cooke (ht); D. Kelly for Mullane (ht); P. Kinnerk for Buckley (60); M. Sheehan for Fitzgibbon (69).

Referee: Michael Collins, Cork.