Door open for Collins brothers, says Davy

Clare senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald has insisted the door remains open for the Collins brothers, Podge and Sean, to potentially rejoin the county panel.

Fitzgerald admitted his decision to dispense with the dual experiment in 2015 was “tough” but hailed the Cratloe pair as “absolutely fantastic lads” following last Sunday’s victory over Crusheen in the Clare senior club hurling final.

“I’ve great time for them — absolutely fantastic lads and they gave their all [for Cratloe],” he told Newstalk.

“Of course they’ll always be welcome back. It’s very hard to do both. It was a tough decision to make but that’s my job, that’s what I’ve got to do.

“But I have great time for the lads — they’re great lads and fair play to them, they got their rewards.”

Fitzgerald has also insisted “seven or eight” teams can challenge for the All-Ireland senior hurling title in 2015.

“It’s all to play for. I’m telling you this now — seven or eight teams can win it and don’t be under any illusions.

“It’s not one or two — seven or eight are capable of doing that and that’s fact.”

Fitzgerald also insisted he will not be looking at Kilkenny and Tipp for clues on how to play ahead of next year’s championship.

He added: “To be totally honest, I wouldn’t read anything into what Kilkenny and Tipp do.

“They were great finals [but] you have to work with the team you have. Whatever you have, you have to bring out the best in them and play according to the way they are.

“Kilkenny and Tipp do that themselves and as Brian Cody I think has said himself, he learned nothing from Clare. I can appreciate that he has a way different team than what Clare has.

“I have my own thing. I admire what they both [Kilkenny and Tipp] have done and other teams around the country but we have our panel of players and we’ve got to bring the best out of them.”