Michael Collins (hurler) explained

Code:Hurling
Sport:Hurling
Michael Collins
Irish:Mícheál Ó Coileáin
Birth Date:1940
Death Date:13 June 2009 (aged 68)
Feet:5
Inches:11
County:Wexford
Province:Leinster
Club:Enniscorthy Shamrocks
Clcounty:2
Counties:Wexford
Icposition:Full-back
Icyears:1966-1970
Icapps(Points):7 (0-00)
Icprovince:1
Icallireland:0
Nhl:1
Birth Place:Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland
Death Place:Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland

Michael "Mick" Collins (1940 – 13 June 2009) was an Irish hurler who played as a full-back with the Wexford senior team.[1] [2] [3]

Born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Collins was introduced to hurling in his youth. He enjoyed championship successes with the Enniscorthy Shamrocks club, winning two championship medals at senior level.

Collins made his senior debut with Wexford during the 1966 championship. He went on to play a key role for Wexford in defence and won one Leinster medal and one National Hurling League medal. Collins was an All-Ireland runner-up as captain on one occasion.

Throughout his inter-county career Collins made 7 championship appearances. He retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1970 championship.

In retirement from playing Collins served as chairman of the Enniscorthy Rapparees hurling club.[2] [1]

Playing career

Club

In 1964 Collins was full-back on the Enniscorthy Shamrocks team that reached their very first championship decider. A defeat of Faythe Harriers gave him his first championship medal.[4]

After defeat in the 1966 decider, Shamrocks were back in 1969. A defeat of Ferns St. Aidan's gave Collins a second championship medal.

Inter-county

Collins first played senior hurling for Wexford in 1966. He claimed his first silverware with a National Hurling League medal in 1967 following a 3–10 to 1–9 defeat of Kilkenny.

In 1970 Collins was appointed captain of the team. A 4–16 to 3–14 defeat of old rivals Kilkenny in the very first 80-minute championship game gave him a Leinster medal. Wexford subsequently faced Cork in the All-Ireland decider on 6 September 1970. A record 64-point scoreline and eleven goals were produced in a sometimes ill-tempered and disappointing contest. Tony Doran top scored for Wexford with two goals, however, the day belonged to Eddie O'Brien who scored a hat-trick of goals for Cork from his hand. A remarkable 6–21 to 5–10 score line gave Cork the victory.[5]

Honours

Enniscorthy Shamrocks
Wexford

Notes and References

  1. News: Wexford GAA mourns Collins' death. 30 June 2016. RTÉ Sport. 13 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20160417002012/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/hurling/2009/0613/250453-collinsm/ . 17 April 2016 .
  2. News: Wexford mourns Michael Collins. 30 June 2016. Hogan Stand. 14 June 2009.
  3. News: Former Wexford captain Michael is laid to rest. 30 June 2016. Enniscorthy Guardian. 17 June 2009.
  4. News: The Shamrocks roll back the years to 1964 glory. 30 June 2016. Enniscorthy Guardian. 29 November 2014. David. Medcalf.
  5. News: This will help cheer up Cork fans. Balls.ie website. 8 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145958/http://balls.ie/gaa/cork-all-ireland-1970/. 14 July 2014. dead.