Dublin 4-15 Westmeath 1-9:DUBLIN WILL be chasing a third Leinster title in four years after Ciarán Kilkenny inspired them to victory in Portlaoise last night.

The Dubs led by eight points after only six minutes, but were then pegged back by a stunning Westmeath revival that had them level after 29 minutes. But any hopes of a Westmeath shock were killed off when Australian Rules target and 2011 minor level dual star Kilkenny took centre stage, with the 19-year-old scoring 1-5 from play as the Dublin cruised into the decider.

A sensational first-half began with a fine Dublin goal for Mark Schutte when he curled to the net after only 25 seconds. Emmet Ó Conghaile then clipped over a fine point before the Westmeath cover was torn asunder in the third minute as last year’s minor star Jack McCaffrey won a kickout and raced inside to finish to the net.

When Paul Hudson landed a free in the sixth minute Dublin were 2-2 to 0-0 ahead and coasting. But Westmeath responded when after points from Seanie Daly and Callum McCormack calmed their nerves, a high ball from Jamie Gonoud was fumbled by Ryan O’Flaherty and Kevin Reilly pounced to flick to the net in the 18th minute. With Dublin in trouble after losing Ó Conghaile to injury, Westmeath were rewarded for their ferocious tackling and rejigging at the back.

Pat Flanagan’s side pulled level through John Heslin frees before Kilkenny landed two late points for a 2-5 to 1-6 half-time lead.

The teams swapped points before a long ball from Ciarán Reddin in the 38th minute found Hudson who calmly finished to give the Dubs breathing space. Kilkenny then drilled to the net in the 43rd minute. That finally took the sting out of Westmeath.

DUBLIN: R O’Flaherty; J Smith, K O’Brien, M Concarr; J Kelly, L Fletcher, J McCaffrey (1-0); E Ó Conghaile (0-1), C Walsh; M Schutte (1-0), G Sweeney (0-1), C Reddin (0-1); P Ryan, C Kilkenny (1-6, 0-1f), P Hudson (1-4, 0-1f). Subs: P O’Higgins for Ó Conghaile (16 mins); S George for Concarr (23); G Seaver (0-1) for C Walsh, Concarr for Smith (both half-time); P Maguire (0-1) for P Ryan (45).

WESTMEATH: E Carberry; K Sheridan, D Gavin (0-1), S Gilmore; K Maguire, B Moran, D Malynn; J Heslin (0-3, 3f), T English; G Egan, K Reilly (1-1, 0-1f), J Gonoud; S Daly (0-1), A Stone (0-1), C McCormack (0-2). Subs: C Boyle for Gonoud (42 mins); E Boland for English, E Gorman for Stone, P Fennell for Malynn (all 54 mins).

Referee: J Hickey (Carlow).

Next Up . . .

The final between Dublin and Louth is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4th at a neutral venue (TBA).