Podge Collins backs Gillane to be Limerick’s 'number 1' in 2025

PODGE Collins has backed Jason Gillane to wear the Limerick number one jersey in the 2025 season. Collins worked with Jason Gillane last year when Mary Immaculate College went on to win the Fitzgibbon Cup.

“It's going to be down to who sacrifices the most, puts in the most effort and gives it the right amount of time.

“I think if Jason does that, I'd probably have him number one. From dealing with him last season, I really enjoyed my time with Jason. It's an opportunity for him and it's obviously awful for Nickie,” said Collins, who was speaking at the draw for the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championships.

The former Clare hurler feels Quaid will be fighting to get back towards the end of the inter-county season.

“I'd also say that Nickie, knowing the man he is, I'd say he'll be fighting to come back anyway, maybe even towards the latter end of the year.”

“But yeah, it's a great opportunity for Jason and the other lads going for the goals. It'll be interesting. It's probably one that everyone on the outside is looking at with a lot of interest.”

Conor Hanley Clarke, Shane Dowling and Jason Gillane will all battle it out to wear the Limerick goalkeeper jersey this year.

Collins is continuing his coaching role alongside his cousin Jamie Wall with the Mary I Fitzgibbon Cup team this year.

The reigning Fitzgibbon Cup champions have been drawn alongside UL, ATU Galway and SETU Waterford in group one of the Fitzgibbon Cup.

Collins said Mary Immaculate College's final group game against UL could easily decide the group.

“There is no bitterness there in that rivalry. It's very much a respectful rivalry. We've played them a few times between league and Fitzgibbon.”

The Cratloe clubman has been impressed their neighbours form this year.

“They've exceptional group of players and watching the league final they were very impressive.”

“They seem to be getting stronger year on year. It's going to be a tough game and it could come down to that third game in the group. Depending on how fixtures go, it could be very valuable for one of those teams to get two points.”

William Dore, Vince Harrington, Cian Scully, Shane O'Brien and Oisin O'Farrell have all been included on the Limerick senior hurling pre-season squad. All five players are on the Mary I Fitzgibbon Cup team.

Shane O'Brien had a breakthrough 2024 for John Kiely's charges. Cian Scully, Vince Harrington, Oisin O'Farrell and William Dore have all earned call-ups on the back of impressive campaigns for their clubs.

“There's a good few that have been called into the Limerick squad. Oisin O'Farrell had a great league for us and Vince Harrington played the Fitzgibbon final at wing back. Willie Dore at corner back.”

“We've got some good players in there. We'll just have to see how they develop, they're going to get a very good training block in with Limerick over the next number of weeks. We'll get to use them come Fitzgibbon time, I'm looking forward to that.”

Mary I begin their Fitzgibbon Cup title defence with a trip to ATU Galway on January 15 at 7pm.