Without ever having to move into top gear, Westmeath brushed aside the challenge of Kilkenny at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

Kilkenny were dealt a cruel blow in the fourth minute when a shot from Westmeath midfielder David Shaughnessy was deflected into his own net by corner back Niall Morrissey. A Shane Colleary goal in the 16th minute, gave the midlanders a commanding 2-4 to 0-0 lead and that advantage was increased to 2-10 to 0-1 by half-time.

While Kilkenny put up a better performance in the second period, a brace of goals from substitute Martin Flanagan in the 42nd and 52nd minutes, helped Westmeath to a comfortable 25-point success.

Westmeath: D Ryan; A Lyons, D Murphy, F Murray; D Healy, C Ryan, D Mitchell (0-1); D Shaughnessy, R O'Connell (0-1); L Gillivan (0-1), S Colleary (1-2), E Casey (0-2); G Heavin (0-3), M Ennis, D Dolan (0-7). Subs: M Flanagan (2-0) for M Ennis; P Conway for L Gillivan; C Keane for E Casey.

Kilkenny: E Mulrooney; N Morrissey (0-1; also o.g), E Roche, J Gaule; J Lonergan, C O Conghaile, P Fewer; P Mullally, JP Corcoran (0-3); M Dunne, J Murphy, M Gordon; J Maher, S Hennessy, S Brennan. Subs: A Holden for J Maher; P Roche for J Murphy; G Campion for J Gaule.

Referee: J Smith (Meath).