Derek McGrath expressed delight with Waterford's continued improvement after they beat Wexford to make an instant return to Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League.

When the neighbouring counties met in the All-Ireland qualifiers last summer, Wexford prevailed by three points, but the Deise have clearly come on leaps and bounds since then as they easily turned the tables yesterday.

"We were concentrating on improving on our performances in each game," noted McGrath, who was criticised for placing a big emphasis on youth at the start of the season.

"When the league draw was made along with Limerick and Wexford, we were possibly rated as third best. That did not bother us nor did we use it as a motivating tool. We set our squad at the start of the year, made changes, with some people wondering where we were going.

"This is a young team well marshalled by players like Noel Connors, Kevin Moran and Michael Walsh. We came with a game plan, implemented the plan and it's grand when it works. It worked today. We got bodies back, but our support player moving forward was excellent, while we also used the ball excellently."

The manager added: "We are delighted to have won promotion. We are delighted with the spirit, composure and quality of the side's hurling. Building a team takes two to three years, but people find it hard to buy into that."

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