Kerry 5-17
Westmeath 3-17

Five first-half goals laid the foundations for Kerry's HL Division 2 A final victory over Westmeath at the Gaelic Grounds.

Eamon Kelly's charges seized the initiative during the opening 35 minutes thanks to goals from Mikey Boyle (2), Keith Carmody, Colm Harty and Shane Nolan and never looked back.

Derek McNicholas replied at the other end of the field for the Lake County but the Michael Ryan managed Leinster side trailed by nine points - 1-11 to 5-8 - at the change of ends.

Four weeks ago Westmeath enjoyed a comfortable 3-18 to 0-12 victory over the Kingdom at Austin Stack Park but, despite their best efforts, there was to be no repeat this time around.

Late goals from McNicholas and Darragh Clinton proved to be nothing more than consolation scores as Kerry retained the title when finishing six points to the good at the final whistle.

The winners now turn their attention to a play-off against Antrim next weekend with a place in Division 1B for 2016 up for grabs.

Kerry - J Logue; D Fitzell, D Dineen, B Murphy; S Weir, D Collins, P Costello; J Griffin (0-1), P Kelly (0-1); M O'Leary, S Nolan (1-3), C Harty (1-2); M Boyle (2-2), P Boyle (0-7, 6f), K Carmody (1-0). Subs: J Egan for M O'Leary, J Flaherty (0-1) for J Egan, T Casey for K Carmody, P Lucid for C Harty, A Royle for S Weir.

Westmeath - P Collins; S Power, T Doyle, A Price; G Greville, A Clarke, L Varley; E Price (0-1), J Clarke; A Devine (0-1), B Murtagh (0-2, 1f), R Greville; N O'Brien (0-5f), D McNicholas (2-1), D Clinton (1-4). Subs: A Craig for A Price, C Boyle (0-2) for L Varley, A McGrath for J Clarke, N Dowdall (0-1) for A Devine, E Corrigan for N O'Brien.

Referee - T Carroll.

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