Updated: Sunday, 09 Nov 2014 21:54 | Comments
Podge Collins admitted he is living out a dream scenario with Cratloe as they advanced to the Munster Club SHC final after beating Thurles Sarsfields 1-18 to 0-14 on Sunday.
The Clare club reached the decider against Kilmallock to remain on course for a potential double in Munster, with their footballers in a semi-final against The Nire this weekend.
Collins told RTÉ Sport: “We’re absolutely delighted. To get into the Munster Championship is a dream for our club and to get over two games is phenomenal. To be looking forward to a Munster semi-final next week and a Munster final in hurling the following week is a dream come true at the moment.
“We’ll get up on Monday and go to work and this match will quickly be forgotten about. It’ll all be focused on next week. As a kid you dream about playing matches week in and week out.
“That’s all you want to do. We’re lucky to be doing that now in November because not a lot of teams get to do it. We’re very grateful for that and hopefully we can keep it going.
“The reality is we’re going to go home, the hurleys and sliotars will be left to one side and we’re going to pick up the big ball and get down to the alley and get practising. Our full focus now will be on The Nire. We know how strong they are.
“They went down to Ballylanders and on their home pitch beat them well. We’re just going to have to focus on them and try to get a result out of them. They have plenty of experience in Munster so it is going to be a tough game.”
“As a kid you dream about playing matches week in and week out. That’s all you want to do.” – Podge Collins
He said the remarkable scenario is having a tremendous effect on team spirit: “There is 11 starters there [from the hurling] involved in football and everyone else is on the panel of the football. It’s excellent. The feel good factor is just continuing.”
Cratloe manager Joe McGrath was keen to stress the significance of the moment as they progressed to the hurling final.
“Any day a club gets to a Munster club final is a huge day and for our fellahs to come from where they did over the last six or seven years is a magnificent achievement.
“To be on the same field as Ballygunnar two weeks ago and beat them and be on the same field as a famed team like Thurles Sarsfields, it’s a privilege to play against them and a huge challenge and there is a huge opportunity.
“In fairness to our boys they worked fierce hard, especially in the first half against the wind. I know they were a man down but we worked hard and had a six or seven point lead at half-time. That was nearly the difference at the end of the match as well.
“It’s a fantastic day for Cratloe, it’s a fantastic day for the parish and we are looking forward to the final in two weeks again.”