The Cats secured their spot in the Leinster Final when they defeated Wexford in Wexford Park on Saturday last. The home side started well and full forward Garrett Sinnott hit two good early points, but in the ninth minute Kilkenny found their feet when Richie Hogan won good possession and blasted the ball to the top corner of Wexford’s net.
Wexford's Darren Stamp was ruled out due to injury and their half back line was further curtailed with the loss of Ciarán Kenny after only 12 minutes into the game also due to injury.
Henry Shefflin displayed his usual accuracy when he converted two frees, and Richie Hogan pointed to put the Cats three points clear.
Despite the best efforts of the Wexford backs in particular Keith Rossiter and Lar Prendergast, Kilkenny added further points.
Kilkenny began to dominate in midfield and the forwards, especially Richie Power and Richie Hogan, started to benefit from the plentiful supply. Three successive points gave Kilkenny a 1-9 to 0-5 lead by the 25th minute.
Wexford upped their ante and corner-back Paul Roche converted a 65' and Stephen Banville added a further point. However the Cats turned on their attacking power again, with a succession of scores including two excellent long range Richie Power points. When Rory Jacob found his way behind the Kilkenny full back line again it required a superb save from goalkeeper David Herity, to turn Jacob's strike over the bar.
A Wexford goal did eventually come in the first half of stoppage time, when a cleverly struck Jim Berry free found its way to the Kilkenny net to leave Kilkenny just four points clear 1-14 to 1-9 at the interval.
Wexford meant business in the second half and their best period came in the early stages, that saw Willie Doran, Jim Berry and Garrett Sinnott registering points.
However, Kilkenny were quick to respond with Michael Fennelly, Michael Rice, and Henry Shefflin all on target.
By the time Henry Shefflin registered his first point from play, Kilkenny led by nine points and there was no way back into the game for Wexford. As the game time ran out David Herity produced a second excellent save to deny Stephen Banville.
Kilkenny finished the game in style with a couple of long range points from TJ Reid and a final score of Kilkenny 1-26, Wexford 1-15.
Kilkenny: D Herity, P Murphy (0-01 ), N Hickey, J Tyrrell, P Hogan, B Hogan, JJ Delaney, M Fennelly (0-2 ), M Rice (0-4 ), TJ Reid (0-3 ), R Power (0-4, 1f ), E Larkin (0-1 ), C Fennelly (0-1 ), H Shefflin (0-09, 6f, 2 '65 ) ), R Hogan (1-1 ). Subs: M Kavanagh for Tyrrell (59m ), E Brennan for C Fennelly (60m ), J Mulhall for Larkin (63m ).
Wexford: N Breen, P Roche (0-2,1 '65 ), M O'Hanlon, K Rossiter, L Prendergast, M Travers (0-1 ), C Kenny, W Doran (0-1 ), D Redmond, PJ Nolan, H Kehoe, S Banville (0-1 ), R Jacob (0-2 ), G Sinnott (0-4 ), J Berry (1-4 (1-3f ).
Subs: C Farrell for Kenny (12m ), M Jacob for Doran (29m ), E Quigley f or Redmond, B Doyle for Nolan (62m ), T Waters for Kehoe (66m ).
Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary ).
