Round-up: This was a disappointing Leinster hurling final played in front of a good crowd at Croke Park, but the Kilkenny players won't mind as they collected their 63rd provincial title after an eight point win (1-23 to 2-12) over Wexford.
With almost half an hour played the sides were level and it looked as if Wexford would put it up to their more illustrious opponents. However, Henry Shefflin found the net before the break to put daylight between the sides.
Indeed that score saw Brian Cody's Kilkenny edge ahead and they led on a 1-9 to 0-4 scoreline at the break.
Stephen Doyle kept Wexford in touch after the restart but despite his three scores, his side could never quite reel Kilkenny in despite Rory Jacob's beautiful goal some 10 minutes into the second half.
That strike, though, failed to lift Wexford who could not capitalise on the brief boost it brought. Kilkenny, in turn, rattle off a succession of scores to kill off the contest.
Substitute Mick Jacob - who scored 1-4 in the second half - did net a consolation goal on full-time but by that stage the contest was well and truly over.
Offaly, meanwhile, will meet Dublin in the Leinster senior football final after a four point victory (2-15 to 1-15) over Wexford at Croke Park.
Kevin Kilmurray's side showed tremendous character to rally whenever Paul Bealin's Wexford got close and they possessed that extra gear to eventually pull away and record a deserved victory.
Wexford, who now face Monaghan in the qualifiers, will rue a number of missed chances and, indeed, paid for their early hesitancy when Niall McNamee bagged the opening goal eight minutes in.
Although Wexford rallied to level - Mattie Forde and Rory Stafford among the point scorers - Offaly again stretched their advantage when Thomas Deehan found the net following McNamee's clever flick.
Offaly progressed and finished the first half in impressive fashion. McNamee and Deehan were both in superb form and combined to put their side five points to the good at the break, 2-6 to 0-7.
Still, though, Wexford refused to roll over and, indeed, pulled level early in the second half when Forde slotted home a penalty.
But whenever Wexford looked like making it a tight contest, they conceded sloppy ball to their opponents and both McNamee and Meehan were ruthless with the punishment - again putting three between the sides.
In a tense finish, Forde - who was fortunate to stay on the pitch after stamping on Shane Sullivan's head - reduced the deficit to a single score.
But determined Offaly - who finished with 14 men after Scott Brady collected a second yellow - rallied once more with McNamee and Trevor Phelan putting the result beyond doubt with fine scores late on.