Cratloe (Clare) 1-18

Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 0-14

Cratloe remain on course for a Munster club SHC and SFC double after their hurlers ran out seven-point winners over 14-man Thurles Sarsfields at Cusack Park.

The Clare champions can now look forward to a first Munster club SHC final against Kilmallock on Sunday, November 23. By then, the club could also be preparing for a second successive provincial football final if they can overcome The Nire of Waterford in next Sunday's semi-final.

With Conor McGrath and Podge Collins to the fore, Cratloe had opened up a 1-8 to 0-4 lead by half-time. McGrath finished with a haul of 0-11, while Collins' goal on the stroke of half-time was a crushing blow to a Thurles side who played all of the game with 14 players after Denis Maher was sent off for a strike on Liam Markham from the throw-in.

Despite losing Maher, the Dan Breen Cup holders moved into an early 0-3 to 0-2 lead, but Cratloe then took control with five points in-a-row. Sarsfields captain Pa Bourke ended the winners' scoring sequence, only for Collins to crash home the only goal in first half injury-time.

The sides shot 0-10 each in the second half as Cratloe eased into the final.

Cratloe - G Ryan; S O'Leary, M Hawes, D Ryan; S Chaplin, C Ryan, E Boyce; D Collins, L Markham (0-3, 1f); S Gleeson, P Collins (1-2), S Collins (0-1); C McInerney (0-1), G Considine, C McGrath (0-11, 5f, 1'65). Subs: D Browne for G Considine, B Duggan for D Collins.

Thurles Sarsfields - P McCormack; S Maher, M Cahill (0-1), David Maher; R Maher, P Maher, M Gleeson; S Cahill (0-1), B McCarthy (0-1); Denis Maher, A McCormack, C Lanigan (0-1); T Doyle (0-2), P Bourke (0-8, 7f), L Corbett. Subs: R Ruth for A McCormack, M O'Brien for T Doyle.

Referee - C McAllister.

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