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Jamie Shanahan in action for Clare in the recent county final. INPHO/Donall Farmer
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6 Talking Points from the weekend's GAA club action

It was another busy weekend of action in the AIB provincial championships.

1. Jamie Shanahan sparkles for Sixmilebridge

On the Clare U21 team this year, Jamie Shanahan was not a mainstay as his appearances were restricted to substitute showings.

Yet that peripheral role needs to be judged alongside the fact that Shanahan is still eligible for the grade for two more years and he has battled injuries as well.

He’s an immense talent and he’s gone about showing that over the last eight days for Sixmilebridge. Helping them to win the Clare county final was a start but then he expressed himself against Midleton yesterday, weighing in with 0-6 for good measure as he showed good nerve from frees.

Squaring up against former classmates from Ardscoil Rís, who’ll be in Na Piarsaigh colours, is next on the agenda for Shanahan in the Munster club final in Ennis next Sunday.

2. Oulart know they need to finish the job

Yesterday in Tullamore felt like a coming of age moment for the Oulart-the-Ballagh hurlers. Martin Storey’s strong half-time speech stirred them to overcome a five-point interval deficit and win the game, on the back of a particularly impressive  second-half display.

They enjoyed the moments after their 1-18 to 2-11 win against a Kilcormac-Killoughey team who had proved too good for them in last year’s Leinster final.

But the obvious snag is that there was no silverware presented. It was a significant victory yet last year’s semi-final win over Ballyhale at the time also looked to be the springboard that Oulart would use to go on and win the final.

They failed then and making sure they don’t repeat that trend will be the objective before Sunday week’s clash with Mount Leinster Rangers.

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3. Michael Murphy closes in on another honour for the provincial collection

Ulster finals have become the forte of Michael Murphy. He started the ball rolling in 2006 when striking 0-3 as the Donegal minors defeated Antrim.

In 2010, he shot 1-5 as Cavan were taken care of in an Ulster U21 final. His endeavours in captaining Donegal to the 2011 and 2012 Ulster senior finals are well-documented before the blip in this summer’s decider against Monaghan.

Now he’s turned his attention to the club stage helping Glenswilly, Donegal victors for the first time in 2011, progress through Ulster with wins over St Gall’s and then yesterday against Roslea. On Sunday week, Ballinderry stand in Murphy’s path as he tries to add to his provincial collection.

4. Cratloe’s rapid rise through the ranks

Cratloe’s great feat of endurance at the weekend was hugely impressive. A first Clare title on Saturday against Doonbeg in what was their first county final in 126 years.

Then a Munster semi-final win yesterday against Ballinacourty saw them progress to a provincial senior football final in their first ever provincial senior tie.

Dr Crokes of Killarney, the current Munster kingpins, lie in wait at the Gaelic Grounds on December 1st. Four years ago Cratloe were in a Munster football final at intermediate level against Kerry club Spa, the Killarney neighbours of Dr Crokes.

A seven-point loss was Cratloe’s lot on that occasion but their rise to now be rubbing shoulders with big guns at senior level is a testament to their brilliant development.

5. Portlaoise keep going to the well to succeed

Portlaoise will this week be getting set for a Leinster semi-final tie against Kildare champions Moorefield. They enter the last four stage in a battle-hardened state.

To clinch a seventh successive Laois county title against Arles-Kileen last month required all of their resolve and nous with veteran Kevin Fitzpatrick firing home a crucial goal.

They had to come from behind again yesterday in Longford, trailing by eight points at one stage against Longford Slashers. Again it was another experienced figure in Brian McCormack who stepped up to save Portlaoise when they needed it most as he grabbed a vital goal to help them win after extra-time.

They have had to keep going to the well to succeed but can they do that again next Sunday? Moorefield will represent a step up in quality opposition.

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6. Are Dr Crokes getting too comfortable?

Dr Crokes manager Noel O’Leary voiced his concern after Saturday’s win over Loughmore-Castleiney that his team are getting too comfortable. He saw them claim their 8th consecutive victory in Munster – with 17 points to spare – but O’Leary was still not completely satisfied.

Dr Crokes are aiming for big national prizes after a couple of years of provincial domination. But how will they cope if they start getting a more rigorous examination of their credentials? They’ll tread warily against a young and dynamic Cratloe side in the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday week.

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