CLARE FOOTBALL BOSS Colm Collins is hopeful that some of the Banner’s All-Ireland senior hurling winning squad will be part of his inter-county plans next year.
Collins yesterday was at the helm of Cratloe as they came desperately close to defeating Dr Crokes in the Munster club final.
His sons Sean and Padraic starred in the Cratloe ranks yesterday while Cathal McInerney, Conor Ryan, Conor McGrath and Liam Markham also excelled for the Clare club.
That group were part of Davy Fitzgerald’s All-Ireland winning squad this year but their services are also coveted by the Clare footballers as well.
McInerney’s attacking class was on show as he notched five points and manager Collins lavished particular praise on him.
“Cathal is a fantastic footballer. His grandfather, Lord of Mercy on him, who died this year, he was a fantastic football supporter. I used to say to him if Cathal was playing football for Clare, he’d be like Declan Browne and people would be talking about him all over the country.
“It was just a little secret in Cratloe but I think the secret is out today. Hopefully we’ll have a few of them coming in with us (with Clare). Please God we will.”
Here’s McInerney in action in the Gaelic Grounds.
YouTube: nemetonSPORT
Collins has admitted that he has made no decision on whether he will try to stay in charge of Cratloe for next season with his focus now switching to his debut campaign with the Clare senior footballers.
“I don’t know, our AGM is on at Christmas and we’ll see at that. I haven’t anything decided yet but my focus now is on Clare. Our first game of the league is in February and that’s what I’ll be looking at.”