This was the Cats' 65th provincial title and their 10th in 11 years in front of a meagre attendance of just over 18,000.

The Slaneysiders broke their run in 2004 when they struck with a late goal and at half-time in yesterday's clash another shock was a possibility as they trailed by just two points, 1-9 to 0-10.

Henry Shefflin grabbed the Kilkenny goal in the ninth minute when he dispatched a penalty to the net but Wexford refused to buckle and the accuracy of Diarmuid Lyng from placed balls and some excellent play from Michael Jacob at wing-back ensured they were very much in contention at the interval.

However, the second half quickly erased any hopes of the purple and gold succeeding as Kilkenny hit four goals to totally hammer their opponents and progress to the All Ireland semi-final.

Three minutes into the second half, Eddie Brennan showed great opportunism when whipping one hand to the net past Damien Fitzhenry, when under pressure, to put Brian Cody's men 2-10 to 0-11 clear.

The reigning All-Ireland champions kept the foot to the floor and a succession of points quickly put clear daylight between the sides.

Any slim hopes of a Wexford revival were ended when Richie Power blazed to the net after man-of-the-match Eoin Larkin carved open the Slaneysiders' defence to put his side 14 points ahead, 4-14 to 0-12.

Five minutes from time, Larkin capped a fine individual performance when he found the net to complete the destruction of Wexford in clinical fashion.

To make it a double celebration for Kilkenny, their minor hurlers also defeated Wexford in the curtain-raiser to claim the Leinster minor hurling championship crown.

KILKENNY: P.J. Ryan; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, J Dalton; T Walsh, B Hogan, PJ Delaney; J 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, J Tyrrell; M Comerford, Derek Lyng (0-1), E. Larkin (0-3), R Power (1-2), H Shefflin (1-7, 0-7f, 1-0 pen), E Brennan (2-2). Subs: A. Fogarty (1-0) for Comerford (63), M Rice for Power (64).

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers , P Roche, J Tonks; M Jacob (0-1), D O'Connor, D Stamp; E Quigley, D Redmond; PJ Nolan (0-2), W Doran, Diarmuid Lyng (0-7, 6f, 1 sideline); S Doyle (0-1), S Banville, R Jacob (0-3). Subs: B Lambert (0-1) for Nolan (55), C Farrell for O'Connor (57).

Referee: B. Kelly (Westmeath).