It was hardly the stuff of champions, but Kilkenny eventually shook off Limerick by 0-18 to 0-13 at Croke Park to book their place in the All-Ireland semi-final.
The Cats made life difficult before eking out a five-point win that pairs them up with Galway in the last four of the McCarthy Cup.
But boss Brian Cody admitted afterwards that the will have to be so much better after failing to close out the game and allowing Limerick come close to an upset.
Some bookies were offering up to 8/1 on a Limerick win and at first it seemed possible as Kilkenny completely over-ran them.
Nothing was going right for Limerick in the opening half and while Kilkenny were only marginally better they were efficient enough to open up a substantial lead.
Henry Shefflin hit five frees in that half to help them open up a 0-11 to 0-5 half-time lead and it looked like the bookies were safe.
But whatever was said in the Limerick dressing-room at half-time did the trick because they came out a different team.
TJ Ryan at full-forward was inspired and hit 0-3 of a six point blitz to leave Limerick trailing by just a point at 0-12 to 0-11 by the 48th minute.
But, true to form, the Cats replied with three unanswered points to open up a five-point lead and they cruised it from there.
However, it was hardly convincing stuff and Galway are unlikely to lose too much sleep in the coming weeks.
Kilkenny: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, J Tennyson, J Ryall; R Mullally, P Barry, JJ Delaney; B Barry 0-1 (f), D Lyng 0-1; M Comerford 0-2, E Larkin, T Walsh 0-2; R Power, DJ Carey 0-3 (1 pen), H Shefflin 0-9 (7f). Subs: E Brennan for Power (47 mins), E McCormack for B Barry (57 mins), J Hoyne for Larkin (62 mins).
Limerick: T Houlihan; D Reale, S Lucey, M Foley; O Moran, B Geary, P Lawlor 0-3 (1f, 1 ‘65’); P O'Grady 0-1, N Moran 0-1; D Ryan, J O'Brien 0-1, M Cahill; P Kirby, TJ Ryan 0-6, (5f), A O'Shaughnessy 0-1. Subs: A O'Connor for Cahill (27 mins), P Tobin for Kirby (58 mins).
Referee: G Harrington (Cork)
