A brilliant Keith Hogan goal seven minutes into the second half proved crucial as holders Clara trumped James Stephens 1-20 to 0-18 in the first round of the Kilkenny SHC yesterday.

Hogan's strike gave the maroons a 1-11 to 0-11 lead after they had held a slender 0-9 to 0-8 advantage at the break. 2011 kingpins Stephens - whose management team included Kilkenny boss Brian Cody - remained in contention until late points from Conor Phelan and Hogan sealed Clara's place in the quarter-finals.

St. Martin's are also through after three late points from veteran John Maher handed the Muckalee men a 0-13 to 0-10 victory over Fenian's, who now face a relegation playoff against the losers of the Danesfort versus Tullaroan replay. Richie Hogan's Danesfort outscored Tullaroan by 2-3 to 0-2 in the closing 10 minutes to earn a 2-14 to 1-17 draw yesterday.

Last year's beaten finalists Carrickshock booked their place in the last eight with a 3-14 to 0-19 victory over Erin's Own, with All-Ireland SHC final replay goal-scorers Richie and John Power notching 1-8 and 2-1 respectively.

O'Loughlin Gaels, meanwhile, captured their first SHL title thanks to a 1-18 to 2-13 victory over All-Ireland club intermediate champions Rower-Inistigoe with Mark Bergin helping himself to 0-10.

In the Shield final, Henry Shefflin posted 0-4 as Ballyhale Shamrocks defeated Dicksboro 1-20 to 0-19.

O'Loughlin Gaels, Rower-Inistioge, Ballyhale Shamrocks and Dicksboro had already qualified for the Kilkenny SHC quarter-finals where they will be joined by Clara, St Martin's, Carrickshock and either Danesfort and Tullaroan in tonight's draw.

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