Kilkenny cut loose against 14-man Westmeath after hard-fought first half at Cusack Park

Brian Cody's Kilkenny led by just a goal, 1-12 to 0-12, at half-time but it was all too easy in the end.

Westmeath defended valiantly at times and had an excellent marksman in Killian Doyle who finished with 0-14, 11 coming from frees.

But they were overpowered by the visitors in the second period, with the introduction of TJ Reid at half-time adding bite to the Kilkenny attack.