Collins set for busy weekend

Clare’s Podge Collins will have to line out for his club, Cratloe, less than 24 hours after tomorrow’s All-Ireland final replay.

The Clare County Board fixtures committee has fixed the four U21 county football quarter-finals for 4pm on Sunday.

Cratloe, who defeated 2012 champions Clondegad in the opening round last Sunday, are down to play the Kilmihil/Shannon Gaels/Killimer amalgamation in the quarter-final.

They lined out without Podge Collins last week, while Clondegad were without his inter-county colleagues Tony Kelly and Paul Flanagan.

Cratloe, managed by Collins’ father Colm, wrote to the county board expressing their opposition to the fixture but at a meeting on Wednesday, the fixtures committee decided not to move the fixture.

The joint homecoming for the Clare U21 and senior hurlers is at 5pm in Ennis.

The fixtures committee is concerned if the game is not played, it could be several weeks before it is re-fixed, given the fixtures backlog in the senior hurling and football championships.

Just one round of the senior hurling championship has been played, while the senior football championship is also held up.