Plenty of hurling positives despite defeat to Cats

Despite an impressive second half comeback, underdogs Westmeath hopes of glory in the Walsh Cup were finished by a second string Kilkenny team in Castlecomer on Sunday afternoon. Such is the abundance of riches at the Cats' disposal at present, not one player from the All-Ireland winning panel of 2011 was involved in this Walsh Cup senior hurling semi-final. However, the Kilkenny first fifteen, which was tagged as a Senior Development Squad, was far from callow and Westmeath manager Brian Hanley will can take plenty of positives from this highly entertaining pre-season encounter. While they may have been missing many of their established stars, the home side dominated the first period. Smart in their movement of the ball, and deadly in front of goal, Kilkenny's hurling, especially their attack, was right out of the top drawer converting 14 of 19 chances created. Westmeath's hopes of a famous victory were enhanced when Kilkenny were reduced to 14-men near the start of the second period when a defender was dismissed for a second yellow card offence. They lost their bearings. The men in maroon saw an opportunity and went for broke, at last believing they could take something from the contest. Full of confidence, the Lakesiders whittled down a one-time second-half deficit of 11 points to a mere two with seven minutes remaining. The wind was in their sails. They were shooting along. Ah, but then they made an error. A push in the back on match star, John Power, earned him and Kilkenny a free about 45 metres out at the town end goal. The ball was arrowed between the posts by Power. The Cats were off again. The brakes were applied to Westmeath's charge. Kilkenny, with three more scores from Power and another from Ger Aylward, produced big when the pressure was greatest. During their dazzling opening Kilkenny produced textbook hurling. The ball was moved fast, with thought and accuracy. The points flowed. Paul O'Flynn, John Power (3), Mark Bergin, Ger Aylward and Cillian Buckley all hit the target, without reply. The latter score was tremendous, with possession worked smartly down the field by Brian Kennedy and Padraig Walsh. Westmeath interrupted the flow in the 16th minute when Brendan Murtagh punished a foul on Andrew Mitchell. Half-time was reached with Westmeath trailing by 0-6 to 0-14. The new half was barely 40 seconds old when Kilkenny bagged a goal. John Power nearly ripped a hole in the top right corner of the net when he rifled home an angled shot from near the left edge of the square. A Westmeath defender had been caught in possession and robbed by Ger Aylward. Power inflicted maximum punishment. The difference shot up to 1-15 to 0-7 in the 38th minute. The losers pulled back a brace of points through Brendan Murtagh and Andrew Mitchell before Kilkenny's Eamon Walsh was dismissed for a second yellow card offence. The Cats reorganised, sending Willie Phelan to full-back and withdrawing Luke Harney to defence and into the No 6 role. It took the new combination a while to find their bearings. Meanwhile, the Westmeath scoring run flowed on. They added four more points before John Power interrupted the flow by converting a free (1-16 to 0-13). Power boosted Kilkenny's lot with two more, one from play. During the following 13 minutes Westmeath dominated the scoring, and drew right up on their opponents shoulder with the help of a smashing goal from a 20-metre free by Murtagh, who almost burst the net with a whistling shot (1-18 to 1-16). Now the home side were on the back foot and needed a break, something to lift them. Power obliged with a point after being fouled. That was it, the signal for a Kilkenny take over. Despite a valiant effort from the away side, the Cats finished on a high, and booked a place in the final against Galway on Sunday. Not for the first time Brendan Murtagh did most to make things happen for the losers, and he received great support from Eoin Price, Adam Price, Andrew Mitchell, Conor Jordan and Paddy Dowdall. Kilkenny - D. Walsh, J. Corcoran, E. Walsh, B. Kennedy, P. Walsh, W. Phelan, J. Holden, C. Buckley, D. McCormack, P. O'Flynn, L. Harney, M. Bergin, M. Aylward, J. Power, G. Aylward. Subs - M. Gaffney for O'Flynn ht; C. Tobin for McCormack 46th min; S.Phelan for Holden 46th min; R. Reid for M. Aylward. Westmeath - C. Scally, P. Fennelly, A. Price, C. Jordan, D. Fennell, E. Price, P. Gilseain, P. Dowdall, C. Boyle, A. Mitchell, F. Boyle, P. Greville, D. Higgins, B. Murtagh, J. Shaw. Subs - A. Dermody for D. Higgins 22nd min; D. Carty for C. Boyle 55th min; J. Gilligan for A. Dermody 55th min; D. McCormack for Gilseain 57th min. Referee - P. Murphy (Carlow). Scorers: Kilkenny - John Power (1-8, five points frees, one 65); Mark Bergin (0-4); Ger Aylward (0-3); Mark Aylward, Cillian Buckley, Paul O'Flynn (0-2 each); Padraig Walsh, Luke Harney (0-1 each). Westmeath - Brendan Murtagh (1-10, 1-7 frees, point 65); Andrew Mitchell (0-3, one free); David Fennell, Cormac Boyle, Dan Carty (0-1 each).