Understrength Kilkenny are still much too strong

Kilkenny were brisk about their business at Nowlan Park yesterday. They took a two-point lead in the opening minute and, having thus reassured themselves that everything was in working order, they kept Wexford at arms length for the rest of the afternoon.

As reward, they advance to meet Clare in next Sunday's semi-final. That should be a little more interesting.

For most of yesterday's game it was hard to keep the yawns stifled. Wexford were keen and muscular, but never looked to have the craft to pull of a little coup here.

Aware from early on that Kilkenny seemed to have the ability to cut down through the centre of their defence, they found the best method of holding off the marauders was to gang up on them. They conceded nine points from Jimmy Coogan frees.

For those who had come nurturing an academic curiosity as to the well-being of the Leinster hurling championship things looked a little troubling.

No evidence was produced to suggest that the competition won't be a playground for Kilkenny for the next few years.

Wexford growled but never made thunder. It'll be some time before they are an elemental force again. Their defending, which was wholehearted, was often clumsy as well. Kilkenny on the other hand have a surfeit of bright young things.

Having accepted sick notes from some of their more celebrated stars and not having received a postcard from Willie O'Connor they must have been pleased with how their shadow players settled into the mix.

The attack bore most signs of improvisation, but Coogan, Tom Drennan and David Buggy in the full forward line coped comfortably.

The first half was listless enough to provoke suspicions that both teams had perhaps had as much of the league as they wanted.

Kilkenny, playing almost visibly within themselves, led by a point at the break, scant reward for the amount of hurling they had done.

The highlight had been a bad tempered outbreak of dodgems between Paul Codd and Eamon Kennedy, the pair charging each other again and again like stags in the glen before referee Pat O'Connor waved a yellow card in front of their antlers.

Kilkenny made their mind up about something at the break however and clipped five points without reply after their tea. Having lost the impeccable Philly Larkin with a thumb injury at the break

Kilkenny needed to fill the void.

Larkin had been magnificent. Sure enough, though, when he went Kilkenny got big performances out of Kennedy, Noel Hickey and Andy Comerford and the ball seemed to be under house arrest within the Wexford 21metre line.

Bright spots for Wexford were rare, but Barry Goff's skill and spirit in stopping the rot with two quick points was encouraging.

Naturally any time Adrian Fenlon had the ball things didn't look so bleak, but Rory McCarthy looked out of sorts and they were generally short of options.

By then, though, Kilkenny had the game wrapped up and if Wexford finished the game strongly their efforts were like those of a boxer who can't win on points but goes for the knockout.

The nearest they came to landing the punch was when Paul Codd's shot was saved brilliantly by McGarry in the Kilkenny goal with a couple of minutes left.

They looked to have a second bite at it as the ball broke free, but, although detractors suggested that Larry Murphy had time to chest the ball down juggle it on his knee and head it home, he could only watch as the ball was swept away for a 65.

Brian Cody conceded afterwards that his side hadn't played well in the first half and losing their best player Phillip Larkin hadn't made the second half look any more appetising. The eye as always is on the summer.

"But we got five on the trot after half-time and settled. It was a good win but the injuries are piling up. We need a strong panel. For the 10th June there no guarantees and that's very worrying."

Kilkenny: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, S Meally; P Larkin (0-1), E Kennedy (0-1), P Barry; A Comerford (0-1), D Lyng (0-1); A Geoghegan (0-2), J Power, JP Corcoran; D Buggy (0-3), T Drennan, J Coogan (0-10, nine frees) Subs: S Grehan for JP Corcoran (23 mins); P Mulally for P Larkin (inj) (half-time).

Wexford: D Fitzhenry; C Kehoe, D Ryan (capt) S Flood; L O'Gorman, L Dunne, D Ruth; A Fenlon (0-1 free), M Jordan (0-1); D Stamp (0- 1), P Codd (0-5, all frees), R McCarthy; B Goff (0-4), C Byrne (0-1), P Finn. Subs: G Laffan for C Byrne (56 mins) K Furlong for Gorman (61).

Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick).