In football's new world, it is a lot harder to play the type of slow controlled football that would suit a team on the go for a third week in a row, emphasising the importance of that top spot.

In Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Kerry were back out for the second half early and had time to reset to being with 14 men. In contrast Cork were late back out and didn’t have that opportunity to rejig when they realised Paul Walsh had been black-carded

After provincial setbacks, Cork and Meath aim to recalibrate and reignite their All-Ireland hopes in key weekend battles

The first instinct of too many Kerry players when they receive possession is to take a solo. It slows the game down when the ball could be moved up the pitch with greater urgency. 

We are starting to see real detail emerge in Gaelic football gameplans. And myriad possibilities.  

Weekend learnings: what the first two provincial football finals showed us.

This week will have been the most focused and determined the Clare players have seen Peter Keane. All of that can be a double-edged sword though.

John Cleary was understandably disappointed on Saturday night but the Rebels can build on the performance against the Kingdom.

Donegal look like a team that can win it all, but Kerry look to be in a good place. 

The provincial championships are starting to take shape and by the close of business Sunday evening we will know the semi-finalists in three of the four provinces, with Ulster completing their quarter-finals next weekend. There are no shortage of talking points as we look ahead to this weekend's encounters.