Player apathy forces Collins to resign

CLARE will be fielding a team against Waterford in the Munster junior football semi-final in two weeks time (June 9), despite the fact that team manager Colm Collins has handed in his resignation from the post.
A poor response from the players and clubs led to the Cratloe official’s decision.

“It’s a massive disappointment that Colm has stepped down. He has been doing superb work for the promotion of football,” commented Clare board chairman Michael O’Neill this week. He added that a search is on to find a management team as quickly as possible and promises that “Clare will be taking part in the championship”.

Colm Collins told The Clare Champion this week, “We were to play Tipperary in a challenge game but on the morning of the match I had to ring the Tipperary manager to cancel as we could not get a team together. Prior to that, we had tried to arrange a couple of training sessions and the response was very poor.

“We set out with the aim of picking a side of mainly U-21 players. For a variety of reasons, including exams, we were finding it difficult to get a squad so we decided to approach a number of more experienced players but the response wasn’t there. Nearly 50 players were contacted but a variety of reasons, including O’Gorman Cup fixtures, were used as reasons for not turning out. Unfortunately, the clubs regard the junior competition as a pain in the neck. They see it as an inconvenience,” according to the Kilmihil man.

“This is a great opportunity for fellas that would like to break into the senior squad. The blame rests with the clubs and the players and there is apathy among a section of the players as well. As mentors we do not get paid and the enjoyment is in helping to prepare a team that might play well. There are a lot of down days in Clare football. It’s disappointing that the response isn’t there.

“There are a lot of people coming into board meetings and shouting that Clare football isn’t being supported. I have never found the board to be anything other than co-operative in relation to the preparation of football teams and in supporting managements,” said Collins, who has been the county U-21 manager for the past two years.

Collins’ management team comprised Michael Considine (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) and Peter O’Connell (Shannon Gaels).

The issue is likely to be raised at the May County Board meeting next Tuesday.