Champs Kilkenny through to final

Kilkenny 0-23, Wexford 2-17 (full-time)

Defending champions Kilkenny got the minimum result required to earn a place in the National Hurling League Final when they played out a thrilling draw with Wexford at Nowlan Park today.

After a lively opening half Wexford led by 2-09 to 0-11 at half-time.

However, during the second half the match exploded into life with Wexford showing the way for most of the 70 minutes.

Kilkenny eventually caught up in the 58th minute when a Tommy Walsh point levelled the match at 2-13 to 0-19.

Five times during the closing 12 minutes the scores were level, with Kilkenny having to come from behind to earn a draw with a 70th minute point from a free by Henry Shefflin.

The result has set up a final between Kilkenny and Tipperary on May Bank Holiday Monday, with the venue probably Croke Park, although Kilkenny would have no objection to travelling to Thurles.