Ex-Clare manager Ger O’Loughlin tells us he expects Podge Collins to be back with hurlers soon

Former Clare boss feels Cratloe wizard is badly missed

He may be preparing for an AIB GAA All-Ireland club hurling final but there's no doubt that Ger O'Loughlin still has a keen interest in the fortunes of his county side. The Clarecastle native was succeeded by Davy Fitzgerald as manager of the Banner after a two-year spell in charge, when he brought through a number of the the All-Ireland winning side of 2013, but failed to win a championship match. The Munster side have slumped to two losses in the league so far in 2015 and face what effectively is a relegation four pointer against Tipperary on Sunday in Ennis. 'Sparrow' admits their early season from is a concern:

The Clare situation at the moment is a worry. We haven't gathered a whole lot of momentum yet but it's early days. Last year we won a few games in the league and it didn't do us any favours later on. We're getting the wake up call early this year and I think there's a fantastic group of players. Now, the league mightn't be great for us, but we have the game on Sunday now against Tipperary and I think that’s going to be a game that will definitely show us where we are at. Tipp aren't going that well either [even though] they've had that win over Galway.'

Clare are trying out a number of younger players yet it is the spectre of a player who has thrown his lot in with the footballers that still casts a shadow over the inter-county panel. Podge Collins was the breakout star of the All-Ireland success of 2013, but found himself in a dual player row last season that was only going to have one winner. Collins has been a shining light for his father's charges as they battle for back-to-back promotion in Division Three of the Allianz League while supporters wonder the 'what if scenario' for the hurlers. O'Loughlin's clubmate Bobby Duggan has benefited from the absence of Collins in Clare's set up this season, but the All-Ireland winner in 1995 and 1997 feels that Davy Fitzgerald's gameplan is not effective unless it features the Cratloe forward.

'As followers and supporters of Clare we’d all love to see him there because he’s been a huge asset of the hurlers at Under 21 and senior level. It’s just a pity that it came down to having to make a decision between the football and the hurling.  The lad himself was under pressure with his father being the manager of the football team, but at the same time it wasn't an easy decision for him to be making. The Clare management decided you can’t combine both, which I can understand as well. It was a catch 22 for Podge. He is certainly a huge loss to Clare, because with the game plan we had in Clare, he was vital to it. I expect to see him back sooner rather than later.'

For the moment Clare will have to soldier on without Collins as their old enemies Tipperary visit Cusack Park in Ennis this Sunday. Being bottom of the league in 2013 didn't do either Clare or Cork any harm after both sides ended up in the All-Ireland final that season. However, there is a feeling within Clare that if the side is to progress this year they must rid themselves of a disappointing 2014 campaign with a positive Spring. O'Loughlin isn't so sure that Davy Fitzgerald shares the same view,

'It’s going to be an important for Clare to get off the bottom of the ladder and get a bit of momentum going. I think in this case with Clare, they are not panicking about the League.  They certainly have tried out a few new lads and given them a couple of chances. We’ve seen three or four lads get a chance in the League so I hope we use it to our advantage. It’s always nice to win the games and getting to the semi-final and final of the league certainly holds you in good stead going into the Championship. So I think myself if we could get the win on Sunday it would create a good buzz and get the train back on the track and then set us up for the last game or two of the League.'