Prendergast leads the way in decisive Kilkenny success

Leinster Senior Quarter Final

Kilkenny 3-21

Westmeath 1-8

By Aoife Lanigan, PRO

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 had 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. Sarah Barcoe tacked on a point for the Stripey women with Amelia Shaw slotting over a pointed free for Westmeath in response

In the 15^th 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 homeside 2-3 to 0-3 ahead

Kilkenny then hit six unanswered points through Aoife Doyle, Aoife Prendergast (1 45, 1f), 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 homeside

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

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

In the 41^st minute, Aoife Prendergast scored her second goal, after a Katie Power pass. Prendergast rounded her marker and riffled 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 (f) and Sarah Barcoe

Westmeath substitute Emma Broughan slotted over a pointed free while Kilkenny added four unanswered points, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, Aoife Doyle, Aoife Prendergast (f) and Miriam Walsh – It was great to see Miriam back after doing her ACL last year

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

Kilkenny now play Wexford in next weekends Leinster Senior Semi Final at a Kilkenny venue

Scorers – Kilkenny – Aoife Prendergast 2-8 (0-6f), 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 (5f), Hannah Core 1-1, Megan Dowdall, Emma Broughan 0-1 (0-1f 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, Roisin Breen, Kellyann Doyle, Niamh Phelan, Emily McCarthy, Sinead O’Keeffe, Asha McHardy, Keara Ryan, Sophie O’Dwyer, Grace Barcoe, Roisin O’Keeffe, Danielle Quigley

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, Courtney Carroll, Sarah Downes, Olivia Glynn, Ellen Shaw, Jade McKeogh, Megan Ennis, Anya Boyle, Catriona Egan, Roisin Scally, Caoimhe McCormack, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Katie Penrose, Erin Core, Niamh Horan

Referee – Gavin Donegan, Dublin