PHOTOGRAPH: Aron Shanagher wheels away in celebration after scoring Clare's second goal in today's NHL win over Kilkenny

Depending Allianz National Hurling League champions Clare got their first points of the 2017 campaign in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon following a 13-point win over Kilkenny.

After a disappointing 7-point loss to Cork last weekend, Donal Moloney and Gerry O'Connor's side bounced back in style with a 2-19 to 0-12 win.

Clare keeper Donal Tuohy's penalty save from TJ Reid on 59 minutes was a key turning point in the game as Clare pulled away from Brian Cody's men thereafter.

Clare dominated for much of the game. The Banner led by 1-3 to 0-0 after just four minutes thanks in part to an Aaron Cunningham goal. Kilkenny however, managed to pull themselves back into the game. Clare went in 1-09 to 0-8 at the break.

Clare's second goal arrived courtesy of Aron Shanagher in the 64th minute after an impressive team build up involving Cathal Malone and substitutes Jason McCarthy and Cathal McInerney.

To cap off a perfect day for The Banner, 2013 All Ireland winning captain Patrick Donnellan saw action for the first time in over a year having overcome a knee cruciate ligament injury.

The win will give the Clare setup renewed confidence as they prepare for their next outing against Tipperary in two weeks time. A number of key players are also due to return ahead of the Munster Championship opener in June including Tony Kelly, Gearoid O'Connell, Conor McGrath, captain Pat O'Connor, Niall Deasy, David McInerney, Paul Flanagan and Jack Browne.

Clare now sit second in the league table on score difference behind Tipperary who beat Waterford today and Dublin last weekend.

Clare Scorers: A Shanagher 1-4 (0-1f), D Reidy 0-7 (6fs, 1 65), A Cunningham 1-0, C McInerney, P Collins 0-2 each, J McCarthy, J Conlon, D Fitzgerald, P Duggan (f) all 0-1 each

Kilkenny Scorers: TJ Reid 0-7 (2 65s, 2fs), C Fogarty 0-2, R Leahy, E Murphy (f) R Hogan all 0-1 each.

Clare:
1. Donal Tuohy (Crusheen)
2. Oisin O’Brien (Clonlara)
3. Cian Dillon (Crusheen) (Captain)
4. Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
5. Brendan Bugler (Whitegate)
6. Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
7. Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge)
8. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
9. David Reidy (Éire Óg)
10. Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones)
11. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
12. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
13. Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
14. John Conlon (Clonlara)
15. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg)

Substitutes:
22. Cathal McInerney (Cratloe) for Cunningham (51)
20. Jason McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Reidy (57)
17. Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge) for Shanahan (66)
18. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin) for Malone (66)
19. Patrick Donnellan (O’Callaghan’s Mills) for Bugler (71)

Kilkenny:
1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)
2. Evan Cody (Dicksboro)
3. Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan)
4. Conor O’Shea (Clara)
5. Joey Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
6. Paul Murphy (Danesfort)
7. Kieran Joyce (Rower Inistioge)
8. Conor Fogarty (Erin’s Own)
9. Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro)
10. Liam Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge)
11. TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
12. Richie Leahy (Rower Inistioge)
13. Richie Hogan (Danesfort)
14. Walter Walsh (Tullogher Rosbercon)
15. Kevin Kelly (St Patrick’s)

Substitutes:
17. Shane Prendergast (Clara) for Cody (Half-Time)
23. Jonjo Farrell (Thomastown) for W. Walsh (Half-Time, inj)
26. James Maher (St Lachtain’s) for Hogan (49)
22. Ollie Walsh (Dicksboro) for Kelly (57)
25. Sean Morrissey (Bennettsbridge) for Blanchfield (66, inj)

Referee: James Owens (Wexford)

Attendance: 7,395