title: 2018 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship
text: # 2018 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship
  
  The 2018 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship was the 124th staging of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Kilkenny County Board in 1887. The championship began on 22 September 2018 and ended on 28 October 2018.
  
  Dicksboro were the defending champions, however, they were defeated by Ballyhale Shamrocks at the quarter-final stage.
  
  On 28 October 2018, Ballyhale Shamrocks won the championship after a 2–20 to 2–17 defeat of Bennettsbridge at Nowlan Park. It was their 16th championship title overall and their first title since 2014.
  
  ## Team changes
  
  ### To Championship
  
  Promoted from the Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship
  
  * St. Patrick's
  
  ### From Championship
  
  Relegated to the Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship
  
  * St. Martin's
  
  ## Championship statistics
  
  ### Top scorers
  
  **Top scorers overall**
  
  | Rank | Player | Club | Tally | Total | Matches | Average |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | T. J. Reid | Ballyhale Shamrocks | 3-41 | 50 | 4 | 12.50 |
  | 2 | Michael Murphy | Erin's Own | 0-35 | 35 | 5 | 7.00 |
  | 3 | James Bergin | Clara | 0-22 | 22 | 3 | 7.33 |
  | 4 | David Walton | James Stephens | 1-17 | 20 | 2 | 10.00 |
  | 5 | Nicky Cleere | Bennettsbridge | 0-19 | 19 | 3 | 6.33 |
  | 6 | Kevin Farrell | Carrickshock | 0-19 | 19 | 3 | 6.33 |
  | 7 | Richie Hogan | Danesfort | 0-18 | 18 | 2 | 9.00 |
  | 8 | John Walsh | Mullinavat | 1-14 | 17 | 2 | 8.50 |
  | 9 | Conor Fogarty | Erin's Own | 1-12 | 15 | 5 | 3.00 |
  | 10 | James Nolan | Clara | 4-02 | 14 | 3 | 4.66 |
  | 10 | Aidan Cleere | Bennettsbridge | 1-11 | 14 | 3 | 4.66 |
  
  **Top scorers in a single game**
  
  | Rank | Player | Club | Tally | Total | Opposition |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | T. J. Reid | Ballyhale Shamrocks | 1-15 | 18 | Dicksboro |
  | 2 | T. J. Reid | Ballyhale Shamrocks | 1-11 | 14 | St. Patrick's |
  | 3 | T. J. Reid | Ballyhale Shamrocks | 1-10 | 13 | Bennettsbridge |
  | 4 | Kevin Kelly | St. Patrick's | 1-09 | 12 | Ballyhale Shamrocks |
  | 5 | Seán Morrissey | Bennettsbridge | 2-05 | 11 | Clara |
  | 5 | David Walton | James Stephens | 1-08 | 11 | Erin's Own |
  | 6 | James Bergin | Clara | 0-10 | 10 | O'Loughlin Gaels |
  | 7 | John Walsh | Mullinavat | 1-06 | 9 | Rower-Inistioge |
  | 7 | Aidan Cleere | Bennettsbridge | 1-06 | 9 | Mullinavat |
  | 7 | David Walton | James Stephens | 0-09 | 9 | Erin's Own |
  | 7 | Mark Bergin | O'Loughlin Gaels | 0-09 | 9 | Clara |
  | 7 | Richie Hogan | Danesfort | 0-09 | 9 | Clara |
  | 7 | Michael Murphy | Erin's Own | 0-09 | 9 | Clara |
  | 7 | Richie Hogan | Danesfort | 0-09 | 9 | Carrickshock |
  | 7 | Michael Murphy | Erin's Own | 0-09 | 9 | James Stephens |
  | 7 | Michael Murphy | Erin's Own | 0-09 | 9 | Ballyhale Shamrocks |
  
  ### Miscellaneous
  
  * Bennettsbridge qualified for the final for the first time since 1974.
  