Walsh Cup Final/ Kilkenny 1-13 Wexford 0-10: It was the same old story yesterday as Kilkenny cruised to a comfortable victory over Wexford in a lacklustre final at Wexford Park.

That Kilkenny were winning the trophy for the third year in a row was no real surprise, but the Wexford display, coming on the back of their league defeat to Waterford seven days earlier, was a shocker, for once again there was little urgency or pattern to their play.

Really, the reigning All-Ireland champions were in cruise control for most of the 70 minutes.

Even playing into the wind, apart from the closing 10 minutes of the opening half, Kilkenny were in command. After Eoin Larkin had pointed two frees in the opening seven minutes, Wexford opened their account one minute later through a fine Rory McCarthy point.

John Meyler's side suffered badly once again in attack despite a much-changed format, for they found the Kilkenny full-back line of Noel Hickey, Brian Hogan and JJ Delaney in commanding form, severely limiting their scoring opportunities.

Further points from a Larkin free, Eddie Brennan and another Larkin free, had the title-holders 0-5 to 0-1 in front after 16 minutes.

After Richie Kehoe and Aidan Fogarty had exchanged points, Wexford responded with points from Rory Jacob and a Paul Carley free, after he had taken over the free-taking responsibilities from an out-of-touch Michael Jacob.

Wexford gave themselves a brief glimpse of hope with three late first-half points from Pat Doran, Carley (free) and Michael Jacob to leave the sides level, 0-7 each, at half-time.

Five minutes into the second half, Kilkenny all but killed off the Wexford challenge when a long PJ Delaney free slipped off the outstretched hand of David O'Connor to find its way to the corner of the net.

The pendulum swung totally Kilkenny's way as, by the 55th minute, they had moved into a five-point lead - 1-11 to 0-9.

And as Wexford struggled, Richie Kehoe blazed their only real goal chance wide 10 minutes from the end.

It was a game with no real flow and nearly all the skilful hurling coming from a Kilkenny side who seemed content to play their way through proceedings at a leisurely pace, only picking up the tempo for brief spells.

But they finished with a flourish as John Dalton and Derek Lyng fired over late points just to emphasise their pedigree and dominance.

KILKENNY: R O'Neill; N Kehoe, B Hogan, JJ Delaney; J Tyrrell, PJ Delaney (1-0 free), T Walsh; D Lyng (0-2), P Cleere (0-1); E Brennan (0-1), A Murphy, E Larkin (0-5 frees); W O'Dwyer, S O'Neill, A Fogarty (0-3). Subs: E McCormack for O'Neill (inj); J Dalton (0-1)for Tyrrell; M Murphy for Brennan.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D O'Connor, P Roche; C Lawlor, K Rossiter, C Kenny; E Quigley, R Jacob (0-2); M Jacob (0-1), R Kehoe (0-1), P Carley (0-4 frees); M Jordan, P Doran (0-1), R McCarthy (0-1). Subs: S Banville for M Jacob; W Doran for Jordan; M Doyle for P Doran.

Referee: A Stapleton(Laois).