Exuberant Limerick were left to ponder what might have Nine weeks ago, Limerick, on their own admission, made a tame exit from the championship. But in this semi-final, they looked a team of rare talent as they booked a place in the final against Galway on October.

"This was a super performance from the players," was the excited summary of Limerick boss, Tom Ryan, afterwards. "We didn't do ourselves justice in the championship; but the players showed rare qualities here and I would suggest this was one of our best performances in my time as manager."

Limerick always had the upper hand, but they didn't impose themselves on the game until after the interval. When they did so, Kilkenny simply weren't at the races.

There was little or nothing between the teams during a tame opening half. Four times the scores were level. Then a smashing 38th minute point from star performer, Ciaran Carey, gave Limerick a 0-8 to 0-7 interval lead.

When Brian McEvoy levelled matters shortly after the break, the 6,500 crowd must have thought they were in for a real dog fight but Limerick simply turned on the style and during the following 10 minutes they opened out a 1-12 to 0-8 lead to really put a mountainous task in front of the opposition.

The scoring damage was done by Mike Galligan, David Hennessy, Barry Foley and Ciaran Carey; all of whom shot points while Galligan also drilled home a goal.

The losers were in total disarray and totally lacking in direction. Ciaran Carey was running the game at midfield, and with Mike Galligan, Frankie Carroll and Barry Foley, little short of brilliant in the attack. The home defence got absolutely no respite.

Limerick: J Quaid; S McDonagh, M Nash, D Nash; J Foley, T J Ryan, T O'Brien; C Carey (0-3), S O'Neill; M Galligan (1-5), F Carroll (0-1), B Foley [B O](0-3); J Moran (01), O Moran (0-1), D Hennessy (0-1). Sub: G Kirby (0-2) for H ennessy (42 min).

Kilkenny: A Ronan; E O'Connor, L Simpson, J Costelloe (0-1); D O'Neill , L Keoghan, D Beirne; P Larkin, A Comerford (0-1); P Barry (0-1), C Brennan, D J Carey (03); P J Delaney, M Phelan (0-1), N Moloney (0-1). Subs: B McEvoy (0-2) for Brennan (31 mins); P O'Neill for D O'Neill (34 mins); M Dowling for Delaney (52 mins). Ref: P Horan (Offaly).