Reigning champions Kilkenny won through to the Leinster SHC final beating Westmeath by 1-23 to 1-09 but the expected avalanche of scores failed to materialise in Mullingar.
Brian Cody's Cats did most of the damage in the first half as they led by 1-15 to 1-04 at the break.
Henry Shefflin helped play in Eoin McCormack for a 34th-minute goal, but Westmeath replied in kind in injury time. Barry Kennedy made use of a slip by Michael Kavanagh to slot home past Kilkenny keeper James McGarry.
The second half was a forgettable affair but Enda Loughlin and free-taker Andrew Mitchell did shine for the Lake men.
6,891 spectators turned out to watch the Christy Ring champions take on Cody's men, who included three enforced changes from the National League final win over Limerick.
The game remained scoreless for six minutes until McCormack ominously pointed the visitors in front. Kilkenny's defenders choked the Westmeath attack for time and space in the first half with two Mitchell frees and an 80-yard beauty from Loughlin being all that Seamus Qualter's men had to show for their first half-hour's endeavour.
Mitchell's 22nd-minute free kept Westmeath in touch at 0-03 to 0-08 down but a succession of points with Tommy Walsh, Cha Fitzpatrick, Shefflin and substitute Michael Rice all on cue had the Cats purring.
0-14 to 0-04 in front, Kilkenny's goal arrived when Shefflin bulldozed along the end-line and ball squirted free for McCormack to crack home from ten yards out.
Shefflin added a further point but Westmeath rallied the home supporters when Mitchell's ball through saw the Kilkenny defence for once exposed and corner forward Kennedy had time to round McGarry and score.
Westmeath switched centre back Derek McCormack up into the attack for the closing minutes of the second half but goals were simply too hard to come by.
Kilkenny, who await the winners of tomorrow's clash between Wexford and Offaly, secured the result untroubled although there will be worries about centre forward Martin Comerford who was forced off midway through the second half with an ice pack on his arm.
Westmeath: M Briody; C Jordan, C Murtagh, P Greville, J Shaw (capt), D McCormack (0-01), N Gavin, B Connaughton (0-01), E Loughlin (0-01); G Gavin, B Murtagh, A Mitchell (0-05 (3f, 2 '65); B Kennedy (1-00), D McNicholas, J Clarke (0-01).
Subs used: D Carty for McNicholas (40 mins), D Devine for G Gavin (49), M Williams for Jordan (69), D Faulkner for Connaughton, P Gilsenan for Clarke (both 70).
Kilkenny: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, D Cody; J Tyrrell (capt), J Tennyson, T Walsh; D Lyng (0-01), R Mullally (0-02); W O'Dwyer (0-01), M Comerford (0-03), E Larkin (0-01); E McCormack (1-03), H Shefflin (0-07 (4f)), J Fitzpatrick (0-02).
Subs used: M Rice (0-03) for Comerford (49 mins), PJ Delaney for Tennyson (51), P Cleere for Larkin (58), J Dalton for Walsh (59).
