Kilkenny have set up a league final clash with arch rivals Tipperary after seeing off the challenge of hosts Wexford in today's second semi-final.

A return of 0-15 (0-12 frees) from TJ Reid was key as Brian Cody's charges ran out 1-27 to 2-15 winners against the Model County.

All roads led to Innovate Wexford Park today and throw-in was delayed for 15 minutes due to delays at the turnstiles but it was mostly one-way traffic out on the field for much of this contest.

Playing with the advantage of the wind the team in black and amber laid down a large deposit on their victory in the opening period with Walter Walsh netting a goal.

They enjoyed an eight-point cushion (1-13 to 1-5) at the midway point and kept the scoreboard ticking over when hitting 14 points after the resumption.

The home side clocked up 1-12 after the break but, despite the best efforts of Rory O'Connor who accumulated 0-12 (8 frees), they had left themselves with too big a mountain to climb.

Wexford enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and were rewarded with two converted O'Connor frees and a goal from the penalty spot courtesy of Aidan Nolan.

Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald is spoken to by referee Colm Lyons. ©INPHO/Ken Sutton.

That gave them a 1-2 to 0-2 lead after seven minutes but the scores then dried up for the Slaneysiders.

Conor McDonald gave them a glimmer of hope when raising their second green flag early in the second-half but normal service was soon restored and the Cats went on to record an impressive nine point victory.

In the process, they gained revenge for recent defeats, including last year's Leinster championship clash, at the hands of Wexford.

Davy Fitzgerald will hope this defeat will prove to be just a temporary set-back as the championship looms close over the horizon.

His Kilkenny counterpart, meanwhile, will switch his focus to next Sunday's eagerly anticipated showdown with the Premier County.

Kilkenny - E Murphy (0-1f); J Holden, P Walsh, P Deegan; C Delaney, C Buckley (0-1), E Morrissey (0-1); R Leahy (0-2), J Maher; M Keoghan (0-1), TJ Reid (0-15, 0-11f), J Donnelly (0-2); G Aylward (0-2), W Walsh (1-1), B Sheehan (0-1). Subs: C Fogarty for J Maher, L Blanchfield for J Donnelly, L Ryan for R Leahy, L Scanlon for B Sheehan, P Lyng for M Keoghan.

Wexford - M Fanning; W Devereux, L Ryan, S Donohoe; P Foley, M O'Hanlon, D O'Keeffe; K Foley, S Murphy (0-1); J O'Connor, R O'Connor (0-12, 8f), L Chin; A Nolan (1-0pen), C McDonald (1-1), P Morris. Subs: D Reck for W Devereux, H Kehoe (0-1) for P Morris, D Dunne for A Nolan, C Dunbar for J O'Connor.

Referee - C Lyons.

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