Ballyea's reign as Clare senior hurling champions is over after they were edged out by Crusheen in yesterday's quarter-final at Cusack Park.

Niall Deasy missed a late free from inside his own half as Crusheen held on for a 0-18 to 2-11 victory. The winners led by 0-11 to 0-6 at half-time, but were forced to withstand a second half comeback by the 2017 All-Ireland club finalists which included goals from Clare football captain Gary Brennan and former Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly.

Crusheen will meet 2018 runners-up Cratloe in the semi-final after they also had a 0-18 to 2-11 victory over local rivals Clonlara. Conor Burke and John Conlon netted in either half for Clonlara, but they still fell short.

The other semi-final will be contested by Sixmilebridge and Inagh-Kilnamona following their respective wins over Eire Og and Feakle. Goals from Brian Corry, Evan McInerney and Alex Morey helped the 'Bridge to a 3-16 to 1-19 victory, while Inagh-Kilnamona needed extra-time to overcome last year's intermediate champions Feakle by 1-28 to 1-26.

The semi-finals will be played on the weekend of 28-29 September.

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