Tireless Podge Collins picked to go from the start for Clare hurlers

After helping the footballers make history on Saturday he has another big game a day later

Clare’s Podge Collins celebrates with his father and team manager Colm and his mother Katherine after Saturday’s win over Roscommon. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Clare’s Podge Collins celebrates with his father and team manager Colm and his mother Katherine after Saturday’s win over Roscommon. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

Just 24 hours after helping the Clare footballers into their first ever All-Ireland senior football quarter-final - Podge Collins will line out for the county's hurlers as they look to go one step further in Thurles.

Collins has been named to start in the half forward line after Clare went with an unchanged team from the side that knocked Limerick out in the qualifiers - for Sunday's quarter-final with Galway.

Podge came on as a substitute for his father’s football team on Saturday evening - as they beat Roscommon by six points in Salthill.

Podge made a lively contribution after entering the game in the 47th minute, and drew the foul from Sean Mullooly that saw the Roscommon full back sent off.

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Clare hurling manager David Fitzgerald has been in hospital undergoing cardiac stent procedures and it's not clear whether he's going to declare himself fit to take to the sideline in Thurles - nonetheless his team will be determined to repeat their quarter final win over the Tribesmen three years ago, when they went on to win the All-Ireland.

CLARE: Andrew Fahy, Oisín O'Brien, Pat O'Connor, Cian Dillon (Joint Captain), Jack Browne, Conor Cleary, Brendan Bugler, David McInerney, David Reidy, Colm Galvin, Podge Collins, Tony Kelly (Joint Captain), John Conlon, Shane O'Donnell, Aaron Shanagher.

Eamon Donoghue

Eamon Donoghue

Eamon Donoghue is a former Irish Times journalist