Podge Collins has decided to focus on inter-county hurling in 2017.
Collins had previously ruled out the possibility of pursuing both codes this season, a conclusion which most dual-players have come to in the modern game.
The 24-year-old attempted to balance both codes this year after making a comeback from a torn ACL which kept him on the sidelines for 2015.
But according to Clare FM, the 2013 All-Star has confirmed that he will be withdrawing from the football panel this year to play exclusively for the hurling team. A statement on the station's website reads that Collins delayed making the decision until his club obligations with Cratloe were completed.
"Podge Collins has confirmed he will focus on intercounty hurling for 2017. It means he will not be part of the Clare Senior Football panel next season, after helping them to the Division Three League title and All Ireland Quarter Final in 2016.
"Former Clare hurling captain Tommy Guilfoyle feels the demands on county players meant that continuing a dual role was always going to be difficult."
Fixture clashes and burnout are among the plethora of reasons why playing in both codes has become unmanageable. In 2016, Collins played in two significant fixtures across hurling and football in the space of less than a day. After assisting the hurlers in a crucial win over the Limerick hurlers, he was back on the pitch the following day to help the football team qualify for the last eight of the All-Ireland championship.
Cork's Eoin Cadogan, Damien Cahalane and Aidan Walsh have also experienced the difficulties involved in trying to survive the dual-game. Walsh has already chosen the footballers while Cadogan and Cahalane have yet to finalise which code they will commit to in 2017.
By contrast, Briege Corkery and Rena Buckley have encountered a far less challenging time in trying to split their time evenly between inter-county football and camogie. Both have cited playing both sports from an early age, along with comparatively less pressure from the media as reasons for why they can continue to play both sports.
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