Podge Collins backs Clare management team to do a ‘great job’

Clare’s dual star Podge Collins has backed Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor to do a “great job” with the county’s senior hurlers.

Mon, 10 Oct, 2016 - 01:00

Jackie Cahill

Moloney and O’Connor will succeed Davy Fitzgerald and form a new joint-management team in the Banner County.

Talks continued over the weekend and the pair could be ratified as early as tomorrow evening. It’s also understood Donal Óg Cusack will remain on board as coach, with 1995 and 1997 All-Ireland winning centre back Seanie McMahon joining the set-up as a selector.

The path was cleared for former All-Ireland U21 winning duo Moloney and O’Connor to step up to the senior job when Anthony Daly declared that he was pulling out of the race.

Collins said: “They (Moloney and O’Connor) managed us at minor and U21, massive time for them. They’re excellent, they give their all for Clare. I’m sure if they do get it, they will do a great job.”

Collins (24), has also backed Fitzgerald to enjoy “loads of success” in his new Wexford role.

“The man is so passionate about hurling, that’s all he wants to do. I’m sure he sees it as a new challenge. Wexford are a coming team.

“I’m sure he’ll have loads of success with them. I just wish him all the best. Davy has given so much to Clare, and the whole thing, I’d say at the end of this year he was just thinking about it (leaving). He talked to the two captains (Cian Dillon and Tony Kelly), talked to the delegates in Clare and stuff like that and I suppose just said the best thing for him was a new challenge. He owes nothing to Clare. Davy is a great Clare man.”