Colm Collins: Managing Clare 'was complete enjoyment'

After ten years managing the Clare senior footballers, Colm Collins' decision to end his tenure brought the curtain down on what was a prouductive era, with many far and wide paying tribute to the Cratloe clubman.

During his reign, Collins guided the Banner from Division 4 to Division 2 in the league, getting them to within a whisker of making the top flight. There was also an All-Ireland quarter-final appearance in 2016 and last month a date with Kerry in the provincial decider.

That clash with Kerry guaranteed a place in the All-Ireland series. Clare may not have won a game but they were competitive, with last Saturday's clash against Derry ending a campaign where they also dropped down to Division 3, this after a few narrow defeats.

Shortly after the loss to Derry at Glennon Bros Pearse Park, Collins announced that that was it.

"I've done my term and it's time for somebody else to take up the baton now," he told RTÉ Sport.

"I think there's a fabulous group of players there and I'm looking forward to watching them without the thumping of the heart."

"He's a winner. He changed the attitude" Tomás Ó Sé sums up the impressive tenure of Clare's outgoing senior football manager Colm Collins