Paddy Collins

Paddy "Fox" Collins (12 April 1903 – 17 February 1995) was an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Cork senior team.

Born in

Throughout his career Collins made 24 championship appearances. He retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1938 championship.

In retirement from playing Collins became involved in team management and coaching. He was a selector with six All-Ireland-winning Cork teams between 1941 and 1954.

In 1988, when he was the last surviving member of Cork's 1931 championship triumph, he was the recipient of the

Playing career

Colleges

During his schooling at

In 1938 Glen Rovers set out to make history by besting Blackrock's twenty-five-year-old championship record of successive championship titles. Midleton stood in the way of a fifth successive championship title, however, a comprehensive 5–6 o 1–3 score line secured the victory and gave Collins his fifth championship.

The following year Glen Rovers faced Blackrock in their first championship decider meeting in almost a decade. A 5–4 to 2–5 win for the Glen gave Collins a sixth successive championship medal.^[4]

Sarsfield's stood in the way of Glen Rovers securing a seventh successive championship in 1940. In one of the most high-scoring county finals of all time, Collins won his seventh championship medal following a 10–6 to 7–5 defeat of Sars.^[5] Collins brought the curtain down on his club hurling career following this victory.

Inter-county

Collins made his senior championship debut for Cork in a Munster semi-final defeat of Waterford in 1928. He was dropped from the panel for the rest of the championship as Cork went on to claim the Munster and All-Ireland crowns.

After being reinstated to the starting fifteen in 1929, Collins went on to line out in his first provincial decider. A 4–6 to 2–3 defeat of Waterford gave him his first Munster medal.^[6] The subsequent All-Ireland final was a replay of the previous year as Cork lined out Galway once again. Mick Ahern scored a goal for Cork after just twenty-five seconds to start the rout. Cork won by 4–9 to 1–3 giving Collins his first All-Ireland medal.

Collins added a National Hurling League medal to his collection in 1930 as Cork defeated Dublin by 3–5 to 3–0. Cork later surrendered their provincial and All-Ireland crowns.

In 1931 Cork were back in the provincial decider against Waterford, however, the game ended in a draw. A 5–4 to 1–2 victory for Cork in the replay gave Collins a second Munster medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny. As the final whistle approached Cork were in arrears by one point when Eudie Coughlan took off for goal along the wing. He stumbled and fell to his knees, but struck the sliotar while still on his knees and sent it over the bar the level the game at 1–6 apiece and secure a draw. The replay took place four weeks later. Cork took the lead at half-time, however, Kilkenny fought back. Once again both sides finished level at 2–5 apiece. After this game officials pressed for extra time, however, this was rejected by both sides. It was also suggested at a meeting of the Central Council that both counties be declared joint champions and that half an All-Ireland medal by given to each player. This motion was later defeated. The first week of November saw the second replay of the All-Ireland final take place. The absence of Kilkenny captain Lory Meagher hampered Kilkenny and, at the third attempt, Cork triumphed by 5–8 to 3–4. It was Collins's second All-Ireland medal.

The rest of the decade proved difficult as Cork went into decline. A defeat by Clare in the provincial final of 1932 was Collins's last big occasion with Cork. He continued to play with further success until his retirement after Cork's exit from the championship in 1938.

Inter-provincial

Collins was also selected for Munster in the inter-provincial series of games. He made his debut with the province in 1931 and was a regular until his retirement in 1933.^[7]

In 1931 he lined out in his first inter-provincial decider. A 1–12 to 2–6 defeat of rivals

Honours

Team

North Monastery

• Dr Harty Cup (1): 1919

Glen Rovers

• Cork Senior Hurling Championship
  (7): 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940
• Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship
  (1): 1925
• Cork Junior Hurling Championship
  (1): 1924

Cork

• 1931
• 1931
• 1929–30

Munster

• Railway Cup
  (1): 1931

Selector

Cork

• 1954

Individual

Awards

• GAA All-Time All-Star Award
  (1): 1988

References