DJ Carey was outshone by his team-mate Eddie Brennan

Kilkenny 3-18 0-15 Tipperary

Kilkenny produced a stunning second half performance to crush Tipperary in Sunday's Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final at Croke Park.

Tipperary produced a fine first half display to lead 0-11 to 0-9 at the break but Kilkenny moved up several gears in the second period to crush the Munster team's resistance.

DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin had comparatively quiet afternoons for the Cats but Eddie Brennan stepped up to the mark to produce a superb performance.

Brennan scored 1-4 while the other goals came from youngster Tommy Walsh and Henry Shefflin.

Kilkenny will now be strong favourites to retain their title in next month's All-Ireland Final against Cork.

Tipp looked the better side in the first half and DJ Carey showed frustration at his failure to get into the game.

Seven of Tipperary's first half scores came from Eoin Kelly.

Cummins heroics

But Kilkenny were a different team after the interval.

Eddie Brennan struck Kilkenny's first goal in the 45th minute with an unstoppable shot which put the Cats two points ahead.

Five minutes later, Kilkenny notched their second three-point despite the heroics of Tipp goalkeeper Brendan Cummins.

The goalkeeper made a remarkable pointblank double-save to deny Tommy Walsh but the youngster followed up to blast to the net.

Henry Shefflin's 68th minute goal put the gloss on a magnificent second half display.

Lynette Hughes and Clare McElroy were the stars of the Tyrone win.

Maeve McGurk's 16th minute goal helped the Red Hand County to a 1-6 to 0-3 interval lead.

Monaghan fought back in the second period and a Brenda McAnespie goal helped the Farney County to close within two points of the Tyrone women.

However, Tyrone then reasserted themselves to claim a deserved victory.