Collins thriving with Mellows since quitting Galway jersey
IN late 2016 with his prospects of starting for the Galway senior team beginning to dry up, David Collins decided to call time on his illustrious 14-year career in the maroon and white jersey and since then he and his club Liam Mellows have never looked back.
While his former inter-county team-mates went on to end Galway’s All-Ireland famine with a long-awaited final victory over Waterford the following September, Collins would his write own name into the record books by helping to guide his club to a first County title in 47 years.
The Renmore native knows he made a big sacrifice in retiring from inter county hurling, however the feeling of that win on a cold afternoon in December made it all worthwhile as he climbed up the steps of Pearse Stadium, alongside Co-captain Aonghus Callanan.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t somewhat jealous of the boys winning the All Ireland when I fought for 14 years to win one, but you wouldn’t take it away from them” he said. “But I’ve a great county title with a great bunch of friends who I grew up with through the years. It was a decision I made and a decision I was delighted to make given what happened from a club point of view.”
Despite a setback when they were easily accounted for in the All Ireland semi-final by eventual winners Cuala, another ambition was fulfilled as he togged out for his club under the lights in Thurles. Since that defeat last February, Mellows have bounced back strong which Collins believes is key to the club’s long-term success.
“It’s about turning around and being consistent, being in the top four teams in Galway and being into a semi-final every year. What it does for the club and for the profile of it for young guys coming up, it’s so important to be at the top tier.”
Having spent so long swallowed up in the inter county scene, the former All Star is only now seeing the plights of being a club player, the four months without a meaningful game being a particular gripe for someone so used to regular hard fought Summer duels playing with Galway.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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