Collins announces inter county retirement

Cratloe’s Podge Collins has announced his inter county retirement in what is another blow for the Clare footballers.
As first reported by Clare FM, Collins has decided to step away from the inter county scene after a successful dual career.
Collins was an integral part of Davy Fitzgerald’s side that defeated Cork to lift Liam McCarthy in 2013, winning an All-Star in the process. He was also nominated for Hurler of the Year after a string of stellar displays helped Clare secure the ultimate prize.
The Cratloe club man also secured All-Ireland hurling medals at U21 level in 2012 and 2013.
In the small ball code, he claimed two Munster minor titles and a NHL Division 1 title, which came in 2016.
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. 
This year he was part of the Clare team that secured an historic win over Cork in the Munster Senior Football Championship while started the provincial final as Kerry proved too strong at the Gaelic Grounds.
His final Championship appearance came against Derry in June as the Banner completed their Sam Maguire group campaign with a six-point defeat.
He has experienced great success with Cratloe, forming an integral part of both the hurling and football sides that claimed an historic double with both flagship outfits securing Senior county titles in 2014.
The lively attacker secured the Clare SHC in 2009 while was part of the football sides that claimed top honours in 2013 and this year.