Hats off to (Brian) Cody, as Cyril Farrell said last week. Even though Kilkenny were beaten by Wexford they were still always favourites to win the All-Ireland. They proved yesterday that they are still the team to beat. A three in a row beckons.

You have to take your hat off to Cody for keeping the team on edge and fired up, while he also sprang a nice surprise by putting Henry Shefflin in at corner forward.

The threat Henry poses now is on the same level as that of DJ Carey when he was at his best a couple of years back. Like clockwork, Henry just delivered again today.

The "will-he, won't-he-play" saga of this week makes the performance that much more special. He probably would have known by around Wednesday after the surgery that he would, but it was still a very professional display. The goals are what ultimately killed off Waterford and Henry claimed two. Enough said.

The key to Kilkenny's success was their defence. In the last two games now they have met teams that are physically equal to them but the hooking and blocking yesterday were phenomenal. Dan Shanahan has been the player of the year so far and he was shut out by JJ Delaney.

Delaney was the best player on the field and that's saying something when the huge performances of the other two in the half-back line (Peter Barry and Tommy Walsh) are considered. Kilkenny now have the best back line in place for a number of years.

But there were huge performances all round the field. Noel Hickey hurled very well. He was dragged around the place but he was strong in the air and commanded the position very well. Also, Michael Kavanagh looked to be back to the Kavanagh that we have seen over the years.

Kilkenny's defensive display was from the top drawer. As a unit they are working very well together. James Ryall has slotted in very well at corner back. There were question marks about him at the start of the year but he proved that he is well worth his place.

Tommy Walsh was very dynamic. I think wing back is his best position. The only thing he has yet to add to his game is the delivery of the quality ball to the forwards - but it will come. At the moment he is full of life, bursting forward and sending big, long clearances.

That's great because Kilkenny have guys up front that are winning ball in the air but his game will improve as he plays consistently at wing back.

Even the forwards work very hard in their defensive duties. They hit defenders as hard as they are hit. This has to have a wearing-down effect.

In fairness to Waterford they battled very hard yesterday but you just can't beat Kilkenny by giving away soft goals and by relying on Paul Flynn to contribute 13 points out of 18.

Flynn was immense. He stood up and was counted for Waterford, when others were missing in action. He showed what a class hurler he is and even got the first two points off Tommy Walsh.

Of course, John Mullane was sorely missed. The effect was really felt when scores became hard to come by as he is the type of player that will latch onto a ball, go at a defender, and a draw a free.

On the day, Waterford struggled to live with a Kilkenny defence that fought for every ball like tigers but they must be commended for keeping just a puck of the ball in it at the finish.

Waterford were fresher but you wouldn't have guessed it. Matches week in, week out, are an advantage if you can avoid taking in injuries. If there is no burden on your panel these games are ideal preparation for the big game. For Kilkenny it worked a treat. No matter how good training is, a match is like 10 sessions as it gives a team the edge.

For the last hurdle for three in a row I don't think Cody will really care who comes out of the other semi-final but I believe he'd like another crack at Wexford after the earlier defeat. Just to set the record straight.

Also, Cork will not easily lose two All-Ireland finals in succession nor give up the record for All-Ireland titles.

Yet, Cody can travel up to the game to view the opposition's tactics. Cork may be sitting pretty at the moment but they still have to get there. Cody can relax a little bit.