Rian Considine is still just 20 years of age.
20 years of age.
It's hard to believe it, when you consider that the dainty corner forward has been lighting up the Clare SHC for Cratloe for the last two years.
But it's come quicker to this lad than it does to most.
Tipped for stardom ever since his days with the Clare minors, Considine was one of the best hurlers in his year in Ard Scoil Rís. This year, he's up in UCD and he'll do some damage in the Fitzgibbon Cup too but for now the focus is on Cratloe again.
Considine is taking them places. Last year, he ripped up trees all the way through. Was on fire in the early rounds and hit 1-4 from play in the semi-final win over Kilmaley.
Considine and Cratloe went down in the final against Ballyea but the real test in sport is the bouncebackability test. One year on and Cratloe are back for more.
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/gaa/10-club-hurlers-playing-like-called-county-seniors-184334
Sixmilebridge better be ready in the decider. On Sunday, the opposition was Crusheen, conquerors of Ballyea but Cratloe were just too good. They turned on the style and Crusheen had no answer. Considine was the main man.
You wouldn't have predicted that narrative at half-time. At the interval, Cratloe were down by three and they were in a spot of bother.
It didn't take them long. Conor McGrath, that stalwart of Clare hurling sped away from the throw-in and he looked to be going for a point. His effort dropped short and looked destined for the goalie's left paw.
But Considine sensed an opportunity. He dashed across and took the ball down lovely with a sharp touch. The second was even better and the dummy was even dizzier.
The composure was frightening and the goal was pure class. Cratloe were settled. Considine was on his way.
https://twitter.com/GAA__JOE/status/1178355953902731264
Give it a couple minutes and the second goal came too. Composure like that is hard to rattle. Considine did well from Cathal McInerney's pass.
https://twitter.com/officialgaa/status/1178346111049842688
He finished his day with 2-3 from play in a 3-24 to 2-12 win for Cratloe. A panellist last year, he'll be a key Clare senior next year.
Considine, McInerney, McGrath and Collins for Cratloe. Shanahan, Morey and Golden for Sixmilebridge. The Clare SHC final will be worth following.
Elsewhere, there was a huge win for Dunloy in the Antrim SHC final. They defeated Ruairí Óg Cushendall by 3-16 to 2-15 with the Elliott brothers the main men. Shane hit two goals off the bench while Nigel hit 1-2 in a game where Neil McManus was outstanding for Cushendall.
In Galway, Portumna's old veterans came up trumps again. Ollie Canning, in his 26th year playing senior hurling with the club, hit 0-2 in their relegation final win over Gort. That keeps the four-time All-Ireland club champions in Senior A for another year.
In Tipperary, former Tipp minor and under-21 Tadhg Gallagher inspired Kiladangan to a North Final win over Borris-Ileigh. Gallagher, the lightning forward hit 1-4 in a razor sharp performance. A penalty save from Barry Hogan on Brendan Maher was key in that game. In the mid final, there was heartbreak for Upperchurch-Drombane. They led all the way but were clawed back by a late goal from Seamus Callanan in injury time. Drom went onto take the title in extra-time. Meanwhile, reigning county champions Clonoulty Rossmore made it four-in-a-row in the west.
