Ballyhale Shamrocks gained revenge on Ballygunner in a pulsating AIB All-Ireland club semi final at Croke Park.
There was no repeat of last year's final heroics as the motivated Kilkenny men ground out victory in the second half.
TJ Reid once again stood up for Ballyhale especially in the dominant second period.
Having missed an earlier penalty, Reid ended the Waterford's side's reign with a successful penalty minutes later.
That decisive blow would prove the difference in the finish and truly savoured at the final whistle for the Leinster dynamos.
With that tinge of last year's decider defeat always lingering Ballyhale erupted into the much-awaited duel.
Reid quickly opened his account with two frees and Joey Cuddihy whipped over a classy score before going off through injury. Cornerback Darren Mullen would also be withdrawn in the early stages for the Kilkenny side.
Dessie Hutchinson, with ample space, punished his new marker with some slick stick work.
Hutchinston clearly had his eye in all afternoon as his second point wiped out Shamrocks bright start to level the game.
Disheartening as it seemed, Ballyhale showed focus despite being outplayed.
Colin Fennelly very nearly found the net with a rebounded half chance, showing the vulnerability of the Waterford men as well as why the Kilkenny side have been kingpins for so long.
Pauric Mahony was now finding his groove and Patrick Fitzgerald’s first point highlighted the Waterford outfits supreme accuracy early on.
With a two-point advantage, Ballyhale swung the tie back in their favour with three in-a-row.
Both Mullen's, Adrian and Paddy, found the range topped up by a TJ Reid free.
Mahony and Fitzgerald combined again to open up another two-point margin and Ballygunner goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe pulled off the first of three top class saves in the absorbing encounter.
Getting down low to deny Adrian Mullen’s stunning drive, O’Keeffe was only warming up.
With the sides going in even, 0-11 a piece at the turn, the second period was poised to be just as tight.
The semi-final took eight minutes to open up in the second half. Familiarity, contempt and neither side wanting to lose gripped shooters from both sides.
Eoin Cody woke his side from their slumber with two inspirational points and at the back, Richie Reid upped it a notch too.
The swell of momentum was unbearable for Ballygunner.
Firstly Evan Shefflin forced O’Keeffe into action and then Colin Fennelly was fouled for Reid’s first penalty miss; a stunning save from O’Keeffe.
Having singlehandedly kept Ballyhale at bay, O’Keefe was denied in the next play, another penalty.
This time Reid was fouled and he showed his ruthless streak to finish at the second time of asking. Reid quickly added a free to turn the screw even further, that five-point gap laid the foundation for a famous victory.
Shamrocks will now play their fourth successive final and have a novel opponent, Dunloy, to face in the new year.
The Kilkenny side have never faced an Ulster team in all ten of their previous finals.
Ballygunner: Stephen O'Keeffe; Ian Kenny, Barry Coughlan, Tadhg Foley; Shane O’Sullivan, Philip Mahony, Ronan Power (0-01); Conor Sheahan (0-01), Paddy Leavy; Peter Hogan, Pauric Mahony (0-06, 0-04f), Mikey Mahony (0-01); Patrick Fitzgerald (0-02), Dessie Hutchinson (0-04), Kevin Mahony (0-01).
Subs: Billy O’Keeffe for M Mahony (49), Harry Ruddle for Fitzgerald (55).
Ballyhale Shamrocks: Dean Mason; Killian Corcoran, Darren Mullen, Joey Holden; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Ronan Corcoran (0-01), Paddy Mullen (0-01); Adrian Mullen (0-01), TJ Reid (1-08, 1-00pen, 0-07f, 0-01 65’), Eoin Cody (0-02); Eoin Kenneally (0-01), Colin Fennelly (0-01), Joey Cuddihy (0-01).
Subs: Brian Butler for D Mullen (6), Niall Shortall for Cuddihy (13), Conor Walsh for Kenneally (63).
Referee: Liam Gordon (Killimor, Galway)
