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Clare boss Colm Collins talks to his players

Collins Urges GAA To Allow Full Panels Access To Grounds On Match Day

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Derrick Lynch

The result of Kildare’s tie with Cavan was still not decided when Colm Collins spoke to the media after Sunday’s win over Fermanagh, but he was quick to point out however things played out, there is still a clear ambition for his side to aim toward this weekend.

When asked about how results might fall to keep his side out of the relegation battle, his answer was swift.

“That is one side of the table. The other side of the table is also alive so we got to wait and see what happens. The other side of the table is still alive if we win our last game” he stated.

Clare’s last victory over Fermanagh came back in 2015 but subsequent games, albeit all on the road, had ended in defeat for the Banner. The fate of the 2020 clash was in the balance in the lead up to the game after the Erne men had an outbreak of Covid-19 in their camp, but Collins was always wary of facing a stern test despite their difficulties.

“Two points are vital in this division and anyone who thought Fermanagh would come here and lie down were sadly mistaken and I knew that. I knew that they would have all their players too so I am just delighted to get the two points. I never expected anything else from them. We have always had tremendous battles with Fermanagh and it was no surprise to us that this was a hard fought close game and we are just delighted to get the two points. That is what league football is all about and championship football too for that matter, and that is just getting over the line” he observed.

Collins was also eager to highlight the fact that six members of the current panel were not allowed to attend Sunday’s game, with only the matchday squad of 26 permitted in Cusack Park. He called on the GAA to allow all panel members to be present at games, something he feels players have earned through their efforts.

“There has been a great energy about it at training and the lads have been going really well. My heart goes out today to the lads who were on the panel and couldn’t come to see the game. They have worked just as hard as anyone else and that is a tough situation. They declared panels to be 32 players and we have done hard work to knock them down to 32. The least they could do is allow those six players to come in and watch the match” he stated.

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