Kilkenny crush Wexford to advance to Leinster final against Galway

Richie Hogan brilliantly beats Wexford goalkeeper Mark Fanning to score Kilkenny's first goal

Kilkenny began the defence of their All-Ireland hurling title in devastating fashion as they defeated Wexford by 5-25 to 0-16 in their Leinster semi-final at Nowlan Park.

Brian Cody’s men proved rumours of the champions’ demise following a raft of off-season retirements to be wide of the mark as they emphatically dispatched Wexford to book a date with Galway in the provincial decider at Croke Park on July 5.

Ger Aylward was a surprise inclusion by Cody at corner forward and he proved there is life after Henry Shefflin by plundering 3-5 for the Cats.

Ger Aylward: Helped himself to 3-5 for Kilkenny

Wexford started fast with a point from Ian Byrne coming within seconds of the throw-in. John Power and Aylward raised white flags for Kilkenny but Byrne answered both with pointed frees to keep Wexford’s noses in front

The first goal of the game came in the 10th minute when Michael Fennelly powered through the heart of visiting defence with a surging run before laying the ball off to Richie Hogan and the Danesfort man applied a deft finish to clip the ball past Mark Fanning.

Fanning was beaten again just three minutes later when Hogan rose highest to claim a high ball and laid the ball off to Aylward, who sold a lovely dummy before rifling the ball into the net.

Wexford had a good chance to raise a green flag of their own soon after when Liam Og McGovern ghosted in behind Paul Murphy but then sent the ball over from close range as Eoin Murphy advanced on him.

Kilkenny’s aerial dominance was a feature of the game and it led to Kilkenny’s third goal just before the half-hour mark.

Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin took an unfamiliar position in the stands at Nowlan Park but watched his team run riot

Hogan caught another high ball on the 20-yard line and laid the ball off to the onrushing TJ Reid, who was then hauled down by Matthew O'Hanlon. Reid stepped up to take the resulting penalty himself and made no mistake as he smashed the ball just inside the right-hand post.

Aylward and Reid tacked on more points to leave the holders sitting pretty at half-time 3-07 to 0-10 ahead.

The sides traded points before the Cats got their fourth goal in the 48th minute to signal the end of the game as a contest.

Reid went on a surging run through the Wexford defence and drew a couple of defenders before laying the ball off for Aylward to apply the simplest of finishes from close range.

Aylward got his third goal minutes later when the visitors failed to clear the ball and he seized possession before finishing past Fanning.

Kilkenny cantered to victory from there with Cody afforded the luxury of replacing some of his key players in the closing minutes.

The result is a very disappointing one for Wexford who were optimistic heading into the game and Liam Dunne will have work to do to pick his side up for the qualifiers after this 24-point hammering.

Kilkenny: E Murphy; P Murphy, J Holden, J Tyrrell; P Walsh, K Joyce, C Buckley (0-01); M Fennelly (0-01), C Fogarty; W Walsh, R Hogan (1-05), J Power (0-02); G Aylward (3-05), TJ Reid (1-07, 1-00 pen, 0-02 65, 0-02f), E Larkin (0-03).

Subs: K Kelly (0-01) for Power, S Prendergast for Tyrrell, R Lennon for Murphy, M Kelly for Larkin.

Wexford: M Fanning; C Kenny, L Ryan, E Moore; L Chin, M O'Hanlon, A Shore (0-01); D Redmond (0-02), D Waters; I Byrne (0-11, 0-09f), S Tomkins, D O'Keeffe; P Morris, C McDonald, L Og McGovern (0-02).

Subs: K Foley for Morris, A Nolan for Moore, H Kehoe for Tomkins, P Doran for Waters, E Martin for Shore, G Sinnott for McGovern.

Ref: D Kirwan (Cork).