TJ Ryan’s Limerick have demolished Wexford by 24 points in this afternoon’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship quarter-final at Semple Stadium.

Limerick, the beaten Munster finalists, bounced back from their Cork defeat with a merciless whipping of Wexford in Thurles.

Wexford travelled with high hope and in massive numbers having taken out Waterford and 2013 All-Ireland champions Clare in previous rounds.

But they found Limerick in blistering form as the Shannonsiders simply took their opponents apart to set up an All-Ireland semi-final clash with Leinster kingpins Kilkenny in a fortnight’s time.

Shane Dowling’s two goals within the space of a minute just before half-time opened up a 3-15 to 0-8 interval lead for Limerick.

Wexford finished the game with 14 men when full-back Matthew O'Hanlon received a straight red card in stoppage time.

O’Hanlon pulled high from behind on Dowling, scorer of 2-8 for Limerick on the day, including 2-3 from play in the first half alone.

It was Dowling’s two goals within the space of a minute approaching half-time that helped to obliterate Wexford.

The Slaneysiders carried real momentum with them into the game but their dreams were dashed by clinical Limerick, who could even afford the luxury of shooting 16 wides.

By half-time, this tie was effectively over as a contest as Limerick had opened up a 3-15 to 0-8 lead.

David Breen, excellent for Limerick, scored Limerick’s first goal in the 28th minute before Dowling netted twice in first half stoppage time.

Dowling’s brace sucked any remaining life out of Wexford and the second half was a procession as the game petered out to an inevitable conclusion.

Limerick, who lined out without injured captain Donal O’Grady, continued to pile on the misery as midfielder Paul Browne charged through the heart of the Wexford defence to blast home a 37th minute goal.

Shane Tomkins netted a consolation goal for Wexford with eight minutes of normal time remaining but it came at a time when Limerick had been 23 points clear.

LIMERICK: N Quaid; T Condon, R McCarthy, S Hickey; P O’Brien, W McNamara (0-1), G O’Mahony; J Ryan (0-2), P Browne (1-1); D Breen (1-1), D Hannon (0-4), T Ryan; K Downes, S Dowling (2-8, 0-5f), G Mulcahy (0-3).

Subs: S Tobin (0-3, 1f) for Breen (51), N Moran for Downes (51), T O’Brien for Hannon (55), S Walsh for McCarthy (59), C King for J Ryan (65).

WEXFORD: M Fanning; L Ryan, M O’Hanlon, K Rossiter; A Shore, E Moore, C Kenny; D Redmond, L Chin; J Guiney (0-3, 1f, 1 65), P Doran (0-2), D O’Keeffe (0-3); P Morris (0-1), C McDonald (0-2), L Og McGovern.

Subs: R Kehoe for Kenny (h.t.), S Tomkins (1-0) for Redmond (h.t.), R Jacob for Morris (43), I Byrne for Doran (43), H Kehoe for Moore (44).

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).