Clare's Podge Collins announces retirement from inter-county scene 

Cratloe club man Collins retires having tasted the ultimate success with the hurlers.

ULTIMATE SERVANT: Podge Collins of Clare in action. Pic: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

All-Ireland winner Podge Collins has announced his retirement from inter-county action after over a decade of service to the Clare jersey. 

Dual star Collins retires having tasted the ultimate success with the hurlers. He was an integral part of Davy Fitzgerald's Banner side that defeated Cork to lift Liam McCarthy in 2013, winning an All-Star in the process. 

The Cratloe club man also secured an All-Ireland hurling medal at under-21 level in 2013, matching the feat conquered in the year previous. 

2013: Podge Collins, Clare, with Seamus Harnedy, Cork, after the final whistle. Pic: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

The 31-year-old played both football - under the stewardship of his father, Colm - and hurling with Clare up until 2017, when he chose to focus his efforts on the small ball. He later switched codes to focus on the football campaign in 2021. 

Reporting the news of Collins' retirement early Thursday morning, Clare FM noted the forward's departure from the panel as the latest blow to new football boss Mark Fitzgerald ahead of the 2024 campaign. 

The Kerry native is set to be without several players from Colm Collins' 2023 panel. 

Collins is highly likely to remain on with his club, whom he secured Clare SFC success with this year.