Cratloe’s experience could be the different in battle of the new breed

THE Cratloe-Crusheen clash in tomorrow’s Clare SHC final (Cusack Park, Ennis, 3.30pm) reinforces the sense of a power shift in Banner hurling, from traditional powerhouses to newer forces.

The three C’s – Cratloe, Crusheen and defeated semi-finalists Clonlara – are regarded as the market leaders in Clare hurling, with the relative ebbing of the likes of St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield, Wolfe Tones Na Sionna, Clarecastle and Sixmilebridge.

Cratloe beat Clonlara in last year’s decider, and while Crusheen were in the county final as recently as 2007, when they lost to Tulla by a point, Cratloe are regarded favourites to collect the Canon Hamilton Cup in Ennis tomorrow. Victory would make them the first side since St Joseph’s in 1998-9 to win the title two years in a row.