John Mullane says Davy Fitzgerald must invite Podge Collins back into the Clare senior hurling squad.

2013 All Star and All-Ireland winner Collins and his brother Sean both announced in September that they would concentrate on intercounty football this season, where they are managed by their father Colm.

While the Banner County footballers defeated Limerick in their championship opener last weekend, the hurlers crashed into the Qualifiers after losing to the Treaty County. Mullane, who played under Davy Fitz for Waterford, believes common ground must be found to entice Collins back into the fold if Clare's season is to be saved:

"For Davy Fitzgerald now, he's got one massive decision: does he go knocking on Podge Collins' door and say to Podge: 'Look you know we'll leave a little bit of leeway there for you with regards to football'. I think he's got to get Podge Collins back," the former Na Deise talisman told RTE.

"He's got to go and come to some decision. I think he's got to act fast because I'm looking at the fixtures and Clare footballers won at the weekend and the latest the Clare footballers could be out of the championship could be mid-July.

"In my dealings with Davy at Waterford for four years, he is set in his ways but he has no option here.

"I'd rather have Podge Collins in the panel than not in the panel, so I think Davy is going to be left with no option but to chase down the Clare footballers to see if he can get him back onside".

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