A very sharp Galway saw off Kilkenny with surprising ease in the All-Ireland under-21 hurling semi-final at Thurles on Saturday.

Galway's superiority was never questioned after the 13th minute, when midfielder Alan Kearns's shot from 70 yards deceived Kilkenny goalie Anthony McCormack for the first goal.

Kilkenny got a break in the 21st minute when Henry Shefflin's shot bounced past Galway goalie Nigel Murray. But Galway quickly regained control, hitting three points before Kevin Broderick got their second goal in the 29th minute, helping them towards an interval lead of 2-9 to 1-5.

A Henry Shefflin goal from a penalty in the 16th minute of the second half gave Kilkenny hope but it was short-lived.

In the 17th minute Darren O'Shaughnessy had Galway's third goal and this was followed seven minutes later by another, from Mark Kerins, putting Galway 4-16 to 2-7 clear. Shefflin got a consolation goal.

Senior star Kevin Broderick starred for Galway, with help coming from Fergal Healy, Alan Kerins, Martin Cullinane, Eugene Cloonan and Michael Healy.

For Kilkenny, Shefflin led the way, with Shane Lanigan, Sean Dowling, David Carroll and Alan Geoghegan providing back-up.

Galway: N Murray; L Madden, V Maher, J Feeney; F Healy (0-1), M Healy, G Lynskey; P Walshe, A Kerins (1-2); D O'Shaughnessy (1-1), M Cullinane (0-1), M Kerins (1-1); K Broderick (16), C Connaughton, E Cloonan (0-6). Sub: R Gantley for Connaughton.

Kilkenny: A McCormack; M Maher, M Kav a nagh, J Brennan; R Mullally, S Dowling, S Lanigan (0-1); D Carroll, N Lahart (0-1); A Geogh egan, J Hoyne, M Hoyne; J Young (0-1), J Coogan, H Shefflin (3-4). Subs: PJ Ryan for Lahart; D Mackey for M Hoyne; A Cummins for Mulally. Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).