REIGNING CHAMPIONS CLARA passed their first assignment in this year’s Kilkenny senior hurling championship today with a five-point win over James Stephens.
In a closely contested encounter, Clara were ahead 0-9 to 0-8 at half-time before Keith Hogan’s 37th minute goal proved a crucial score for the winners.
2011 champions James Stephens cut the gap to three points – 1-18 to 0-18 – late on but then Clara held on and closed out the match to triumph by five.
The spotlight returned to the club hurling scene in Kilkenny this weekend after the All-Ireland winning heroics. Elsewhere today St Martin’s enjoyed a three-point win over Fenians while Danesfort and Tullaroan finished all square.
Yesterday Carrickshock defeated Erins Own in another first round game while O’Loughlin Gaels won the Kilkenny senior hurling league final against Rower-Inistioge.
O’Loughlin Gaels, Rower-Inistioge, Dicksboro and Ballyhale Shamrocks have all qualified already for the Kilkenny senior hurling quarter-finals where they will be joined by Clara, St Martin’s, Carrickshock and either Danesfort and Tullaroan.
Kilkenny SHC first round
Clara 1-20 James Stephens 0-18
St Martin’s 0-13 Fenians 0-10
Danesfort 1-17 Tullaroan 2-14
Carrickshock 3-14 Erins Own 0-19Kilkenny SHL final
O’Loughlin Gaels 1-18 Rower-Inistioge 2-13