Adventures in Division 4

 Waterford 4-7 Wicklow 1-12 (March 4, 2012)

A memorable hat trick from Mark Ferncombe caught Wicklow napping at Aughrim in round 3 of last year's league. Three green flags in a dazzling eight minute spell saw them sprint ten points clear by half time (3-6 to 0-5). Shane Ahearne added a fourth major early in the second period to increase the lead to twelve. Seanie Furlong and Leighton Glynn tried in vain to claw back the deficit but Waterford held on for a richly merited four point win. Wicklow recovered from that setback to gain promotion and win the Division 4 final against Fermanagh as Waterford’s campaign fizzled out.

Waterford 0-20 Clare 2-5 (April 11, 2010)
On a sunny spring afternoon at Fraher Field, Waterford wrapped up promotion in style only months into John Owens’ reign as manager. Clare arrived with high hopes but their day quickly turned sour. They were completely blitzed by a determined Déise outfit and never found their rhythm. Midfielder David Russell also received a red card and they were ultimately shunted out of the promotion picture. The home side led by 0-11 to 1-3 at half time and kept the foot to the floor on the restart. Gary Hurney stole the show with seven points on a day when seven different players contributed. David Tubridy’s late penalty acted merely as a consolation for Clare.

Waterford 1-12 Limerick 1-11 (March 13, 2010)
An injury time free from Wayne Hennessy got Waterford over the line at the Gaelic Grounds and gave their promotion bid a shot in the arm. In the absence of Gary Hurney, the Ardmore man stepped up to the plate by firing six points. The sides were all square at five points each at the break. Robert Ahearne rattled the rigging to push the away side into a five point lead but Limerick reeled them in. Boosted by a Seanie Buckley goal, they drew level before Hennessy had the last word.

Waterford 2-13 Wexford 1-12 (February 5, 2007)

Waterford caused a stir on the opening day of the 2007 league when they surprised Wexford at Fraher Field. Mattie Forde, PJ Banville, Redmond Barry and Anthony Masterson all featured for the Model County. Andy Hubbard and Barry traded goals in the opening half as the visitors went in at the break ahead by 1-6 to 1-5. Brian Wall netted a second half goal to give Waterford the initiative. Wayne Hennessy was also prominent in attack as he finished up with five points to his credit. The majority of that Wexford team went on to contest a Leinster final and an All Ireland semi final a year later.

Waterford 0-14 Cavan 1-9 (April 9, 2006)
At Breffini Park, the Ulster side were installed as 1/50 favourites beforehand and needed a win to book their spot in Division 3. The Ulster side could call on players such as Dermot McCabe and Seanie Johnston but the visitors weren’t intimidated. A Johnston penalty gave Cavan a narrow 1-6 to 0-7 advantage at half time. Despite losing John Hurney to two yellow cards, Waterford took control on the resumption and outscored their opponents by seven points to three in the second half. Five of the six starting forwards also got on the scoresheet. Liam O’Lionain bagged his third point to secure victory in the closing stages. Results elsewhere went against the shell shocked hosts to halt their promotion push.

Waterford 2-7 Sligo 0-12 (February 12, 2006)
Inspired by Gary Hurney, Waterford pulled off a famous victory at Leamybrien to leave a formidable Sligo side empty handed. Goals from Hurney and Liam O’Lionain gave the hosts a healthy 2-5 to 0-6 advantage early in the second half before the Yeats County mounted a comeback. Midfielder Karl O’Keeffe was dismissed with ten minutes remaining and Sligo crept back into contention. Noel McGuire levelled up matters but Hurney nudged John Kiely’s men in front at the death.