Podge Collins insists there's no "bad blood" between him and Davy Fitzgerald after he was forced to make a choice between hurling and football at the end of last season.

In the end, the 2013 Liam MacCarthy Cup winner opted to concentrate on Gaelic football - his father Colm manages the Clare footballers - but he remains hopeful of playing for the hurlers again one day.

"I'd be hoping (to hurl for Clare again) but I can't tell, really. But I'd be hoping I do get to go again with it," the Cratloe dual star said at yesterday's AIB sponsorship announcement in Dublin.

"We've met once or twice since and we've just had a chat. There's no bad blood (with Fitzgerald) there, I understand his point of view and I've just got to stick with the football now for the year and see how I get on."

Collins, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, will find himself in the unusual role of spectator when Clare face Cork in the Allianz Hurling League at Pairc Ui Rinn tonight.

"It will be strange watching on from the stands," he revealed.

"I've been playing with those boys since I was 15 so I'll be happy to support them and fingers crossed they'll get a result in Cork which won't be easy.

"Come the Limerick game in championship. . . we're playing Limerick the night before in Limerick, so I'll have that and then the next day - that's when it will hit home I'd say.

"You always want to be on the pitch. If you're injured, you'd be mad to get out there. It's only natural (to miss it) but I'm only 23 so hopefully I'll have a few more years at it."

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