Cats overcome doughty Déise to book All Ireland place

Kilkenny 2-19, Waterford 1-16

Kilkenny have reached their sixth All-Ireland final in a row with a dominant display over Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park today.

Kilkenny started the better in the first half with Richie Hogan registering the first score with his superbly taken goal, but Davey Fitzgerald's side gradually settled themselves into the game with John Mullane bagging the Deise a goal in the 26th minute.

Richie Hogan grabbed a second goal just before half-time to give the Cats the edge. Kilkenny pulled away at the start of the second half, but Waterford mounted a revival in the last 15 minutes that will give pause for thought ahead of the final.

Kilkenny will now face the winners of next week's semi-final between Tipperary and Dublin.

The throw-in to the senior match had been delayed by 15 minutes after the minor match went to extra time. That match eventually finished Galway 1-23, Clare 1-18.

Galway won with a dogged performance in forcing extra-time against a much-lauded Clare minor side.