Delight for Clare’s Podge Collins as injury nightmare over

Clare’s Podge Collins has expressed delight at ending his cruciate injury nightmare.

The 24-year old, who concentrated on football at inter-county level last year, made his first appearance for Clare hurlers since 2014 when he came on in Sunday’s facile 2-28 to 1-9 win over Kerry.

Collins has been out of action since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in May while playing for a championship game for Cratloe.

He has battled back to recovery and is making himself available to both the Clare hurlers and footballers.

Collins admits it will take him time to get up to the pace of inter-county hurling, with the Banner facing Limerick on Sunday in a winners-take-all Division 1B promotion clash.

“Getting used to the pace of it now will be a bit tough, but getting a first day out in nine or 10 months is great. I found it hard when I came on, the pace is very high. There were a lot of hits going in.

"It’s great to see how far Kerry have come in recent years. I know the scoreline was big, but I don’t think it reflects how much they have developed. It was a good physical intense game and great to get a run.”

Collins, an All-Star when Clare won the All-Ireland in 2013, said Sunday’s clash with neighbours Limerick will be a perfect test as they prepare for the championship.

“It really starts from here now. There is a lot at stake. When you go down to 1B, it’s a very tough division to get out of.

"We were fortunate enough to go to Wexford and get a result. So it all lies on next week against Limerick.”

He is looking forward to getting back to full fitness ahead of the championship.

“The ground to starting to harden, and we are getting sunny days. So that’s what it is all about, people are starting to come up to the matches and we are looking forward to a long summer, fingers crossed,” he added.