Cratloes challenge for a first ever Munster title came to a heart breaking end in the Gaelic grounds in Limerick with a one point defeat to Dr. Crokes.
The Kerry champions led by 0-10 points to 0-03 at half time, but in the second half the Clare champions raised their intensity outscoring the eventual victors by ten points to two.
Cathal McInerney and Conor McGrath dominated the Cratloe contribution, McInenery with five points McGarth with two, while Fergal Lynch and Sean Collins hit one each at crucial stages in the latter half.
With six minutes to go Cratloe looked to get a big break when All Star forward Colm Cooper recieved a second yellow and headed for the Crokes line.
A McInerney free two minutes later saw the Clare-men take the outright lead, but Daithi Casey equalised with a pointed free in the 58th minute.
The killer score for the Clare champions came through Johnny Buckley in injury time.
Dr. Crokes claiming the Munster title, and capturing the 3 in a row.
Full time score in the Gaelic Grounds Dr. Crokes 0-13 points Cratloe 0-12.
The Kerry side now progress to the All Ireland Semi Final where they meet the Connacht champions, Mayo’s Castlebar Mitchells.
