Patrick Collins (hurler)


Patrick Collins is an Irish hurler who plays as a goalkeeper for club side Ballinhassig, university side Cork Institute of Technology and at inter-county level with the Cork senior hurling team.

Early life

Collins was born in Ballinhassig, County Cork. His father, Pat, was a goalkeeper for the Ballinhassig club, while his older brother, Matthew, played for Cork in the minor, under-21 and intermediate grade. His younger brother, Ger, has also played for Cork in the minor, under-21 and senior grades.

Playing career

College

Collins first came to prominence as a dual player with Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown, playing in both codes at every grade from under-14 to senior.

University

On 3 March 2016, Collins was in goal for the Cork Institute of Technology team that played Dublin City University in the All-Ireland Freshers Championship final. Collins was instrumental in pulling off a number of saves as CIT went on to win by 1-13 to 0-13.

Club

Collins joined the Ballinhassig club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels, enjoying championship success in the under-14 grade. He joined the club's top adult team in 2013.

Inter-county

Minor and under-21

Collins first played for Cork at minor level on 2 May 2012 in a one-point defeat by Limerick. His debut season ended at the Munster-semi-final stage with a defeat by Clare. Collins played for two further unsuccessful seasons with the Cork minor team.
Collins was in his second season with the minor team when he was added to the Cork under-21 team, making his first appearance in that grade in a defeat by Tipperary on 17 July 2013. It was the first of five successive seasons with the under-21 team, however, his tenure in that grade ended without success.

Senior

Collins made his senior debut for Cork in a Waterford Crystal Cup defeat of the University of Limerick on 10 January 2015. He made his first start in a National League on 12 March 2016 in a one-point defeat by Kilkenny. On 9 July 2017, Collins won his first Munster medal as a non-playing substitute following a 1-25 to 1-20 defeat of Clare in the final.
On 1 July 2018, Collins won a second successive Munster medal as a non-playing substitute following a 2-24 to 3-19 defeat of Clare in the final.

Career statistics

Club

Inter-county

Honours

;Cork Institute of Technology
;Cork