Kilkenny 0-23 Wexford 1-10: Kilkenny are through to the All-Ireland senior hurling final after a comfortable 10-point victory over Wexford at a rain-soaked Croke Park today.
Brian Cody's team beat the same opponents by 15 points in last month's Leinster final but the fact Wexford bridged that gap will be of scant consolation.
Kilkenny weathered an early Wexford storm before taking the lead in the final 10 minutes of the opening half. After the break they drove on and star player Henry Shefflin finished with 14 points.
Barry Lambert and Doc O'Connor set Wexford off on the front foot with early scores and within minutes the underdogs were three points to the good.
Playing with tremendous drive and passion, Wexford looked set to make a real contest of this semi-final but that challenge wilted as Kilkenny quickly shifted through the gears.
Shefflin and Martin Comerford combined to reel Wexford in and when Eoin Larkin pointed midway through the half Kilkenny edged into a lead they would never relinquish.
Aidan Fogarty, Willie O'Dwyer and Richie Power all tacked on extra points before the break to extend Kilkenny's lead to five points - 0-11 to 0-6 - at half-time.
Whatever hopes Wexford had of staging a fight back were swatted aside by Shefflin who tapped over a string of scores from open play and dead ball situations.
Rory McCarthy and Michael Jacob found their range for Wexford but their side were on their knees at this stage. Not even Jacob goal could deny powerful Kilkenny their ticket to next month's final.
"Getting to the final is what the hurling year is all about and it's something we really wanted," said Cody afterwards. "We are delighted to be there.
"I'm very happy with the effort of my players. Their commitment is total. We expected a fierce battle. The first half was very, very competitive and we had to defend strongly. But we drove it on after half-time."