Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

CLARE 2-19 KILKENNY 0-12

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park, Ennis

Clare defeated Kilkenny to get their Allianz League campaign off the mark in front of a home crown of 7,395 in Cusack Park this afternoon.

Following their nine point victory over the Cats in last year’s semi-final on their way to a first National League crown in 38 years, the Banner County got their title defence back on track in emphatic fashion.

Goals from Wolfe Tones duo Aaron Cunningham and Aron Shanagher at either end of the tie bookended an encouragingly sharp display from the hosts and in the process subjected their subdued opponents to a second consecutive reverse.

Helped by the threat of Shanagher who raided for two early points along with setting up his club-mate for the opening goal in the second minute, Clare stormed into a 1-3 to 0-0 advantage by the fourth minute. And despite the best efforts of freetaker TJ Reid, the home side would protect that margin for the majority until Reid struck for the final two points of the half to ensure a 1-9 to 0-8 scoreline.

Now facing into the conditions, Kilkenny eventually cut the margin to three in the third quarter but as the second period developed, it was a bouyant Clare, aided by substitutes Cathal McInerney and Jason McCarthy, who would seize control to finish strongly.

Home goalkeeper Donal Tuohy would make an important save from a Reid 60th minute penalty but by then Clare were in full control as they outgunned their flagging opponents by 1-8 to 0-1 in the final quarter to run out commanding victors.

While David Fitzgerald drove his side forward at every available opportunity, it was fellow Under 21 Shanagher who would raise the biggest cheer of the day as he was on the end of a flowing move involving McCarthy, McInerney and Cathal Malone to billow the net in the 64th minute on their way to a 13 point triumph.

Scorers for Clare: David Reidy 0-7 (6fs, 1’65), Aron Shanagher 1-4 (1f), Aaron Cunnngham 1-0, Podge Collins 0-2 Cathal McInerney 0-2, David Fitzgerald 0-1, John Conlon 0-1, Jason McCarthy 0-1, Peter Duggan 0-1 (1’65).

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-7 (4fS, 2’65), Conor Fogarty 0-2, Eoin Murphy 0-1 (1f), Cillian Buckley 0-1, Richie Leahy 0-1.

CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Seadna Morey, Cian Dillon, Oisin O’Brien; Brendan Bugler, Conor Cleary, David Fitzgerald; Jamie Shanahan, David Reidy; John Conlon, Podge Collins, Cathal Malone; Shane O’Donnell, Aaron Cunningham, Aron Shanagher.

**Subs: **Cathal McInerney for Cunningham (51), Jason McCarthy for Reidy (57), Shane Golden for Shanahan (66), Peter Duggan for Malone (66), Patrick Donnellan for Bugler (71)

KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Evan Cody, Padraig Walsh, Conor O’Shea; Joey Holden, Paul Murphy, Kieran Joyce; Conor Fogarty, Cillian Buckley; Liam Blanchfield, TJ Reid, Richie Leahy; Richie Hogan, Walter Walsh, Kevin Kelly.

**Subs: **Shane Prendergastfor Cody (Half-Time), Jonjo Farrell  for W. Walsh (Half-Time), James Maher for Hogan (49), Ollie Walsh for Kelly (57), Sean Morrissey for Blanchfield (66, inj).

REFEREE: James Owens (Wexford).