Clare SHC: Last-gasp Cratloe point completes quarter-final line-up in dramatic conclusion

With Feakle topping Group 2 thanks to a 2-16 to 0-14 victory over relegation threatened Corofin, the cut-throat nature of the Canon Hamilton race saw Cratloe edge out previously unbeaten Kilmaley by a single point on score difference.

RIGHT MAN IN RIGHT PLACE: Cratloe's 2013 All Star Conor McGrath hit the decisive score Sunday. Picture: Eamon Ward

The wafer-thin margins between championship elation and exit were epitomised by the final Clare SHC group action in Newmarket-on-Fergus on Sunday afternoon.

Only a three-point victory would suffice for Cratloe to snatch the final quarter-final berth but despite enjoying a five-point final-quarter cushion, their opportunity seemed to have slipped from their grasp when Conor Cleary kicked a goal for Kilmaley on the hour mark to slash the arrears to just the minimum.