Kilkenny open up Leinster campaign with emphatic victory over Westmeath

The game was every bit as one sided as the scoreline may suggest with Kilkenny cruising to a facile success over Westmeath in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.

The Nowlan Park encounter was like a challenge game for long periods as Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng kicked off his championship tenure in great style.

The Cats very much outclassed their Lake County opponents as they led from start to finish in what proved to be a very disappointing affair.

The writing was very much on the wall when Kilkenny led 0-4 to 0-0 after only five minutes of play and that's the type of tone that continued throughout the 70 minutes with a TJ Reid led home side scoring points at will.

The Shamrocks marksman made his first Kilkenny appearance of the year and while he finished with nine points, the 35 year old would have still left the field slightly disappointed after he missed a second half penalty which in turn saw Westmeath sub Charlie McCormack black carded after he pulled down Adrian Mullen.

It was very much a case of job done for a Kilkenny team who will now look ahead to a much stiffer contest when they host Galway at home next weekend.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- TJ Reid (0-9, three frees and two 65's), Adrian Mullen (0-6), John Donnelly (0-4), Eoin Cody, Martin Keoghan (0-2 each), David Blanchfield, Padraig Walsh, Darragh Corcoran, Timmy Clifford, Billy Ryan, Niall Brennan (0-1 each)

Westmeath- Ciaran Doyle (0-4, three frees), Joseph Boyle, Darragh Clinton, Derek McNicholas (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Padraig Walsh; Darragh Corcoran, Paddy Mullen; Timmy Clifford, Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs- Cian Kenny for P.Mullen 46 mins, Martin Keoghan for Ryan 47 mins, Cillian Buckley for P.Walsh 56 mins, Niall Brennan for A.Mullen 61 mins, Conor Delaney for Lawlor 64 mins.

Westmeath- Noel Conaty; Darragh Egerton, Conor Shaw, Johnny Bermingham; Robbie Greville, Tommy Doyle, Aaron Craig; Davy Glennon, Shane McGovern; Shane Clavin, Joseph Boyle, Eoin Keyes; Kevin Regan, Ciaran Doyle, Darragh Clinton.

Subs- Cormac Boyle for McGovern h-t, Charlie McCormack for Clavin h-t, Derek McNicholas for Clinton 48 mins, Jack Gillen for Keyes 56 mins, Gary Greville for Egerton 67 mins.

Referee- Chris Mooney (Dublin)