Kilkenny eased into the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship final with an 11-points win over Wexford at Wexford Park.
The Cats never looked in danger, even though they led by just five points at the break, and needed two superb saves from David Herity to deny the home side.
They will face either Dublin or Galway in the decider, with the other semi-final taking place at Tullamore next Saturday.
Garrett Sinnott turned full-back Noel Hickey in fearless fashion to shoot two early Wexford points, but their optimism was shattered in the ninth minute when Richie Hogan bounced of one defender, skipped past another and sent a rocket past Niall Breen in the Model goal.
Shefflin floated over a couple of frees, and Richie Hogan eased the Cats three points clear.
Despite the tigerish defending of Lar Prendergast and Keith Rossiter, Kilkenny pushed further ahead through Hogan and Shefflin.
Wexford had a genuine goal chance 10 minutes before the break when Stephen Banville released Rory Jacob, who had slipped in behind Jackie Tyrrell, but the corner-forward pulled his shot wide of the far post.
Corner-back Paul Roche and Banville tagged on points, but Kilkenny turned on the attacking power again, with a volley of points, including a couple of ling range Richie Power gems.
But Kilkenny were opened up at the back for a second time, and needed a superb save from goalkeeper David Herity, who turned Jacob’s strike over the bar.
The goal did eventually come in stoppage time, drilled to the net from a 20-metre free by Jim Berry.
Kilkenny led by 1-14 to 1-09 at the break, but with the home crowd getting behind them, Wexford rose to the challenge in the early stages of the second half, with Willie Doran, Berry and Sinnott all finding the range.
But the cool Cats steadied the ship, and steered themselves clear of the danger.
Michael Fennelly, Michael Rice, and Shefflin were all on target as Brian Cody’s men brought their vast experience to bear on the contest.
Larkin saw an angled effort zip just past the butt of a post and Hogan sent a screamer crashing against an upright as the pressure mounted on the Model men.
When Shefflin cantered through for his first point from play, Kilkenny led by nine points, and there seemed no way back into the game for Wexford.
Noel Hickey, Brian Hogan and Paddy Hogan defended with assurance, and Rice’s powerhouse midfield display drove his side on time and again.
And for the second time, Herity produced a wonder save to deny Banville.
Kilkenny finished the job off in style with a couple of long range strikes from TJ Reid.
Wexford: N Breen, P Roche (0-02, 1 ’65), M O’Hanlon, K Rossiter, L Prendergast, M Travers (0-01), C Kenny, W Doran (0-01), D Redmond, PJ Nolan, H Kehoe, S Banville (0-01), R Jacob (0-02), G Sinnott (0-04), J Berry (1-04 (1-3f).
Subs: C Farrell for Kenny (12), M Jacob for Doran (29), E Quigley f or Redmond, B Doyle for Nolan (62), T Waters for Kehoe (66)
Kilkenny: D Herity, P Murphy (0-01), N Hickey, J Tyrrell, P Hogan, B Hogan, JJ Delaney, M Fennelly (0-02), M Rice (0-04), TJ Reid (0-03), R Power (0-04, 1f), E Larkin (0-01), C Fennelly (0-01), H Shefflin (0-09, 6f, 2 ’65)), R Hogan (1-01).
Subs: M Kavanagh for Tyrell (59), E Brennan for C Fennelly (60), J Mulhall for Larkin (63)
Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).
