Prendergast leads the way in decisive Kilkenny success

A fast start helped Kilkenny begin the defence of their Leinster title in impressive fashion as they swatted aside the challenge of Westmeath on Saturday.

The Cats made the perfect start in Freshford when, after 23 seconds, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh rattled the back of the Lake County side’s net.

Hannah Core, Westmeath’s nippy forward, opened their account with a fine point from play before Laura Murphy added a point from play for Kilkenny.

Amelia Shaw and Aoife Prendergast swapped pointed frees before Sarah Barcoe tacked on a point for the Stripey women with Amelia Shaw slotting over a pointed free for Westmeath in response.

In the 15th minute, Miriam Bambrick cleared the sliotar from the Kilkenny defence, Aoife Prendergast got to the ball before the advancing goalkeeper and flicked it to the back of the net.

This put the home side 2-3 to 0-3 ahead.

Kilkenny then hit six unanswered points through Aoife Doyle, Aoife Prendergast (1 45, one free), Sarah Barcoe and Katie Power.

Heading towards the half time interval, Hannah Core got in for a goal for Westmeath to leave the score 2-9 to 1-4 in favour of the home side.

On the resumption of play, Laura Murphy added her second point from play for Kilkenny before Amelia Shaw converted a 21m free for Westmeath.

Aoife Prendergast (free) and Caoimhe Keher Murtagh slotted over points for Kilkenny before Amelia Shaw split the posts with a pointed free for the visitors.

In the 41st minute, Aoife Prendergast scored her second goal after a Katie Power pass.

Prendergast rounded her marker and rifled the sliotar to the roof of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Kilkenny then slotted over three unanswered points from Laura Murphy, Aoife Prendergast (free) and Sarah Barcoe.

Westmeath substitute Emma Broughan fired over a pointed free while Kilkenny added four unanswered points through Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, Aoife Doyle, Aoife Prendergast (free) and Miriam Walsh - it was great to see Miriam back after suffering an ACL injury last year.

Megan Dowdall pointed a free for Westmeath before Aoife Prendergast (free) and Miriam Walsh hit back with points to leave Kilkenny comfortable winners at the final whistle.

Kilkenny now play Wexford in next weekend’s Leinster senior semi-final, which will be played at a Kilkenny venue.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny – Aoife Prendergast (2-8, 0-6 frees); Caoimhe Keher-Murtagh (1-2); Laura Murphy, Sarah Barcoe (0-3 each); Aoife Doyle, Miriam Walsh (0-2 each); Katie Power (0-1).

Westmeath – Amelia Shaw (0-5, frees); Hannah Core (1-1); Megan Dowdall, Emma Broughan (0-1, free each).

Kilkenny – Aoife Norris; Michelle Teehan, Grace Walsh, Katie Byrne; Laura Norris, Niamh Deely, Miriam Bambrick; Laura Murphy, Laura Greene; Aoife Doyle, Katie Power, Sarah Barcoe; Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, Katie Nolan, Aoife Prendergast.

Subs: Miriam Walsh for Katie Nolan, Ciara Phelan for Laura Norris, Roisin Phelan for Miriam Bambrick, Claire Doheny for Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, Emma Shortall for Katie Power.

Westmeath – Fiona Keating, Emily McCabe, Julie McLoughlin (captain), Laura Doherty, Marie Kelly, Muireann Scally, Aine Newman, Aoife O’Malley (Vice Captain), Caoimhe McCrossan, Meadbh McLoughlin, Holly Dowdall, Amelia Shaw, Hannah Core, Megan Dowdall, Sheila McGrath.

Subs: Emma Broughan for Amelia Shaw, Aisling Egerton for Emily McCabe, Anna Weir for Fiona Keating, Meadbh Scally for Meadbh McLoughlin, Ava Balfe for Sheila McGrath.

Referee – Gavin Donegan (Dublin).