Collins steers Cratloe to first county title in nine years

Cratloe 1-10 St Breckan's 1-08

Colm Collins capped off an eventful 2023 with a return to the top of Clare football as his Cratloe side secured a first SFC title in nine years in Cusack Park.

Having led the Banner to a first Munster final in 11 years and subsequently stepping down as manager after a decade in charge, Collins placed his full concentration on Cratloe who despite an aging core, managed to defy the odds and knock out the last two champions en route to the decider.

In what was his 17th year in charge of the team for whom his three sons Sean, Podge and David all starred on Sunday, Collins perhaps produced his most significant victory of all.

"It's a really special one because we didn’t expect it," he said. "At the start of the year, it was as far a thing from our heads that you could possibly think of. We were more concerned with getting one win and staying senior so it’s a great tribute to the lads as they’ve really put their shoulders to the wheel.

"The massive thing for us was that when it came to the business end, we kept all our players injury-free."

That experience proved essential against a St Breckan’s side competing in their first senior final as the club hadn’t contested the decider in 27 years.

Injuries actually went against the North Clare side as their noted counter-attacking prowess was hampered by the loss of raiding wing-backs Jack Sheedy and Colm O’Brien either side of half-time.

It didn’t initially impact as first Jamie Stack and then Joe McGann kicked a brace of points to finally reel in Cratloe by the 33rd minute at 0-6 to 0-6.

However, St Breckan’s did ride their luck at the other end as Rowan Danaher had to scramble a Podge Collins shot off the line early in the second half.

The match would turn