Collins set for tenth season in charge of Clare footballers

Colm Collins has been ratified for a tenth year as manager of the Clare senior footballers.

The Kilmihil native is the longest serving manager of any one team in gaelic football with Mickey Harte working with the Tyrone footballers from 2003 until the culmination of the 2020 season before being appointed manager of Louth.

At Tuesday night’s meeting of Clare GAA in Caherlohan, it was confirmed that Collins will be continuing as manager of the team.

Clare reached the quarter-final stage of the All-Ireland series, losing out to Derry after a memorable come-from-behind win over Roscommon at GAA HQ.

Although Clare fell to a heavy defeat to the Oak Leaf County, it was a positive year for Collins’ men as they qualified for the quarter-final stage for the second time in seven years.

Under the Cratloe clubman Clare have risen from Division Four to Division Two, where they have competed since 2017.

After losing a Munster Senior Football Championship quarter final to Limerick on penalties after the sides finished deadlocked at 2-16 to 1-19, Clare responded by securing a two-point win over bogey side Meath. A Pearse Lillis goal and four points from the boot of Eoin Cleary saw Clare through.

They then faced Roscommon in Croke Park and an inspired Keelan Sexton kicked 2-6 while Jamie Malone popped up with a memorable late point to secure the one point win for Collins’ men.

The quarter-final against Derry proved a step too far as Clare look to come again under the stewardship of Collins.

Collins is in his 16th year in charge of Cratloe as they prepare themselves for the quarter finals of the Championship after winning all three of their group games.

Former Clare Senior Hurling Captain Brian O’Connell was returned as Clare Minor Hurling Manager following a positive season in which the Banner reached the Munster Final and progressed through to the All Ireland semi final stage.

Michael Neylon was reappointed for a fourth season at Clare Under 20 Football Manager with the St. Joseph’s Miltown man hoping to build on a campaign that saw the Banner beat Tipperary before bowing out to Munster champions Kerry.