NFL DIVISION THREE Waterford 2-8 Limerick 0-8:WATERFORD CAME out on top with six points to spare in the clash of the two sides promoted from Division Four when they clashed at Fraher Field yesterday.

Mark Ferncombe proved to be an inspirational substitution for the home side, finishing the game with a tally of 2-1. The Ballinacourty club player was called from the stand with just 14 minutes played to replace the injured Joey Veale and put in a man-of-the-match performance.

With 10 minutes to the break Ferncombe grabbed the first of his goals following a sweeping movement that started in the Waterford half-back line to give the home side a 1-3 to 0-0 lead.

Limerick’s first score of the game came on 31 minutes when John Cooke pointed. However, before the break Seán Fleming and Ferncombe both pointed to give the home side a 1-5 to 0-2 lead at the break. But in the end, Ferncombe’s goals proved decisive.

WATERFORD: K Cotter; Maurice OGorman, T OGorman, C Phelan; E Walsh (0-1), S Briggs, W Hennessy (0-1); M Ahearne, T Prendergast (0-2); B Wall (0-1, free), K Power, Michael OGorman; J Veale, P Hurney, S Fleming (0-2). Subs: M Ferncombe (2-1) for J Veale (14 mins), K Connery for E Walsh (half-time), B Phelan for M Ahearne (61 mins), M Donnelly for P Hurney (69 mins).

LIMERICK: B Scanlon; M Riordan, J McCarthy, B Fitzpatrick; J Riordan, E Fitzgibbon, P Ranahan; J Donovan, J Galvin; S Kelly (0-2), J Mullane, S Buckley; I Ryan, J Cooke (0-1), G Collins (0-5, 0-3 frees). Subs: M McCormack for B Fitzpatrick (4 mins), D Ward for J Cooke (half-time), D Kelly for J Mullane (half-time), P Kinnerk for S Buckley, M Sheehan for E Fitzgibbon.

Referee: M Collins(Cork).