Leinster Under-21 HC Semi-final/ Kilkenny 3-16 Wexford 1-6: Classy Kilkenny cruised to the most comfortable of 16-point victories over Wexford in the Leinster under-21 hurling championship semi-final at Callan yesterday evening.

Kilkenny were in control throughout the 60 minutes, laying the foundation for this victory with two first-half goals when playing into a strong breeze. Very little separated the sides during the opening quarter, but a TJ Reid goal in the 21st minute put the home side into a 1-3 to 0-4 lead.

With Reid and James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick picking off some nice scores, Kilkenny seemed to be in cruise control but they were rocked by a 30th-minute goal from Wexford's Ger Flood. Their response was immediate with corner forward Eddie O'Donoghue goaling to give them a 2-4 to 1-6 interval lead.

Kilkenny opened the second half with two points from Fitzpatrick and went on to take complete command, with Reid adding their third goal after 41 minutes to make it 3-9 to 1-6.

Such was Kilkenny's dominance that Wexford failed to score in the second half.

It was a demoralising display from Wexford, as Kilkenny continued to pick off points at will to run out the most commanding of winners.

KILKENNY: L Tierney; C Joyce, D Cody, S Cummins; J Dalton, J Tennyson, P Hartley; M Fennelly (0-1), P Hogan (0-1); J Fitzpatrick (0-7, three frees), A Murphy (0-1), TJ Reid (2-4); E O'Donoghue (1-0), R Power, D McCormack (0-1). Subs: E Walsh for Joyce; A Healy for Power; J Broderick (0-1) for Hogan.

WEXFORD: E Martin; B Malone, M Kinsella, B Kenny; A Kavanagh, R Kehoe (0-1), G Hill; S Morris, PJ Nolan (0-1); B Kehoe, S Nolan (0-3 frees), G Flood (1-0); A O'Neill, M Doyle (0-1), C O'Connor. Subs: C Breen for Hill, T Waters for Morris; N Kirwan for O'Neill, C Farrell for O'Connor, C Lyng for Kehoe.

Referee: F Smith (Meath).