Ger Aylward emerged with 3-5 at Nowlan Park as the holders and reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny put Wexford to the sword in their Leinster hurling semi final.

Just six points separated the sides at half-time in Nowlan Park but Kilkenny pushed on in the second half aided by a stiff breeze and amassed a huge tally.

It's a major blow to Wexford who lit up last year's Championship with wins over Clare and Waterford but came into the current campaign under a shadow.

Aside from Aylward they had strong performers in TJ Reid, Kieran Joyce and Hurler of the Year Richie Hogan.

Wexford begun with the aid of the wind behind them and creeped in to enjoyed a 0-3 to 0-2 advantage after 10 minutes.

But Richie Hogan's opening goal for Kilkenny soon put the hosts into a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Not long after they struck again with man of the match Aylward capitalising on some sloppy Wexford defence. The game was over as a contest.

Aylward and Reid tacked on more points to leave the holders 3-7 to 0-10 up at half-time. Crucially, they would have the breeze at their backs in the second-half.

Wexford needed a miracle in the second-half, particularly as they faced into the stiff breeze. But it never arrived and they only managed to add three more points from open play.

Kilkenny closed out the contest with more Aylward goals in the 48th and 53rd minutes and Cody took the opportunity to run in a string of fringe players in the closing minutes.

It wasn’t all bad for Wexford as wing forward Ian Byrne notched up 11 points for the Model County.

Cody’s cats will now meet Galway in the Leinster final where as a place in the qualifiers awaits Wexford.