{{short description|Irish hurler}} {{BLP sources|date=May 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2021}} {{Infobox Gaelic games player | code= Hurling | sport = Hurling | image = | name = Daniel Collins | irish = Dónall Ó Coileáin | feet = | inches = | occupation = Farmer | nickname = | county = Kerry | province = Munster | club = [[Kilmoyley GAA|Kilmoyley]] [[Ardfert GAA|Ardfert]] | clposition = | clubs = | clyears = 201?- | clapps(points) = | clcounty = 4 | clprovince= | clallireland = | colleges = | counties = [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] | icposition = Center Half Forward | icyears = 2013-present | icapps(points) = | icprovince = | icallireland = | allstars = | clupdate = | icupdate = 20:25, 19 July 2015 | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1994}} | birth_place = [[Kilmoyley]], [[County Kerry]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] }} '''Daniel "Danny" Collins''' (born 1994) is an [[Irish people|Irish]] [[hurling|hurler]] who plays as a center half forward for the [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] senior team.
Born in [[Kilmoyley]], [[County Kerry]], Collins first played competitive hurling during his schooling at Causeway Comprehensive School.
==Club==
Collins had enjoyed much success at club level in both football and hurling with [[Ardfert GAA|Ardfert]] and [[Kilmoyley GAA|Kilmoyley]]. As well as underage success with St Brendan's District.
In 2012 he won a Kerry Minor Football title with the St Brendan's District team after a win over [[Kenmare District]] in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.templenoegaa.ie/index.php/archive/match-reports-archive/68-match-reports-2012/430-county-minor-football-championship-final-kenmare-district-v-st-brendans|title = County Minor Football Championship Final. Kenmare District V St Brendans| date=30 October 2012 }}</ref>
His first major senior success came when he won a Kerry Intermediate Football Championship in 2014 after a win over [[Spa GAA|Spa]] in the final,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-20292150.html | title=Griffin stars as Ardfert shock Spa | date=20 October 2014 }}</ref> He later added a [[Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship]] title after a win over [[Valley Rovers]] from Cork in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://munster.gaa.ie/history/intermediate-football-club/|title = Intermediate Football (Club)|date = 7 June 2009}}</ref> He later lined out in [[Croke Park]] as [[Ardfert GAA|Ardfet]] faced [[St. Croan's]] from [[Roscommon]] in the [[All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship]] final. A 1–14 to 0–09 win saw Collins pick up an All-Ireland winners medal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://munster.gaa.ie/event/aib-gaa-all-ireland-club-intermediate-football-championship-final-ardfert-kerry-v-st-croans-roscommon/|title = AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Intermediate Football Championship Final – Ardfert (Kerry) 1-14 St. Croans (Roscommon) 0-9|date = 14 February 2015}}</ref>
He lined out in the [[2014 Kerry Senior Hurling Championship]] final where his side faced [[Lixnaw GAA|Lixnaw]]. His first senior final ended in disappointment as he was on the losing side after a re-play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/225800|title = Kerry SHC final replay: Eighth title for Lixnaw - HoganStand}}</ref>
[[Kilmoyley GAA|Kilmoyley]] were back in the final in [[2015 Kerry Senior Hurling Championship|2015]] where they faced [[St Brendan's Hurling Club|St Brendan's Ardfert]]. Collins was in fine form as he helped himself to 2–10 in a 3–15 to 1–13 win to land his first county title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/244733|title = Kerry SHC final: Collins leads Kilmoyley to glory - HoganStand}}</ref>
[[Kilmoyley GAA|Kilmoyley]] qualified for a third final in a row in 2016 where they faced off with [[Ballyduff GAA (Kerry)|Ballyduff]]. The sided finished level 1–17 to 2-14<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://munster.gaa.ie/event/kerry-senior-hurling-championship-final-kilmoyley-v-ballyduff/|title = Kerry Senior Hurling Championship Final - Kilmoyley 1-17 Ballyduff 2-14|date = 11 September 2016}}</ref> Collins who his second title after a replay win on a 1–18 to 2–13 win. [[Kilmoyley GAA|Kilmoyley]] overcame [[Limerick]] champions [[Monaleen GAA|Monaleen]] to book a place in the [[Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/kilmoyley-monaleen-3066594-Nov2016/|title = Kerry's Kilmoyley make history and book their place in Munster final| date=6 November 2016 }}</ref> In the final Collins and co faced Waterford champions [[Lismore GAA|Lismore]] in [[Mallow, County Cork|Mallow]]. Despite scoring all of his side's points, 0–13 in total, it wasn't enough as the title went to Waterford on a 2–14 to 0–13 scoreline.
A 2018 final loss to [[Lixnaw GAA|Lixnaw]] was Collins and co lot for the next few seasons.
[[Kilmoyley GAA|Kilmoyley]] were back in the final once more in 2020, where the faced holders [[Causeway GAA|Causeway]].
==Underage==
Collins played both football and hurling at minor level with [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]].
He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Kerry minor hurling team. His first success came when he won an [[All-Ireland Minor B Hurling Championship]] title in 2012 after a final win over [[Roscommon GAA|Roscommon]].
He also lined out with the minor footballers in 2012. His only appearance was as a sub against [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.terracetalk.com/kerry-football/player/1419/Daniel-Collins|title=Terrace Talk :: Kerry Football :: Minor Appearances :: Daniel Collins}}</ref>
He would later join the under-21 side and had some success. In 2013 he was part of the team that won the [[All-Ireland Under-21 B Hurling Championship]] after beating [[Kildare GAA|Kildare]] in the final.
==Senior==
He made his senior debut during the [[2013 National Hurling League|2013 league]]. Collins quickly became a regular member of the starting fifteen as [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] qualified for the [[2013 Christy Ring Cup|Christy Ring Cup]] final where they faced [[Down GAA|Down]] where Collins lined out at midfield. Despite being favorites Collins side lost out on a 3–16 to 2–17 scoreline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://munster.gaa.ie/event/christy-ring-cup-senior-hurling-final-kerry-v-down/|title = Christy Ring Cup Senior Hurling Final - Down 3-16 Kerry 2-17|date = 8 June 2013}}</ref>
He was a regular member of the starting fifteen during [[2014 National Hurling League|2014 league]]. Collins helped [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] qualify for the [[National Hurling League|National League (Division 2A)]] final where they faced [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]]. Despite being underdogs Collins side took the title on a 3–16 to 3–13 scoreline. Kerry would subsequently lose a controversial Promotion/relegation play-off with [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]]. Collins and co regrouped for the [[2014 Christy Ring Cup|Christy Ring Cup]]. Wins over [[Derry GAA|Derry]], [[Kildare GAA|Kildare]] and [[Mayo GAA|Mayo]] seen [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] qualify for a second final in a row. In the [[2014 Christy Ring Cup Final|Final]] [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] again faced [[Kildare GAA|Kildare]]. Like in 2013 Collins and co came into the game as big favorites, however it was [[Kildare GAA|Kildare's]] goals that made the difference as they took the title on a 4–18 to 2–22 scoreline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/underdogs-kildare-stun-kerry-for-first-ever-christy-ring-cup-success-30336963.html|title = Underdogs Kildare stun Kerry for first ever Christy Ring Cup success| date=7 June 2014 }}</ref>
For the second season in a row [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] qualified for the [[National Hurling League|National League (Division 2A)]] final where they this time faced [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]]. Collins and co powered to a 5–17 to 3–17 win to win a second league title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/rampant-kerry-switch-focus-to-ring-cup-31120395.html|title = Rampant Kerry switch focus to Ring Cup| date=6 April 2015 }}</ref> Kerry would again have to play a controversial Promotion/relegation play-off with [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]]. However where the Kingdom fell short to [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] in 2014 it was to be different as Collins and co had a famous 2–16 to 1–18 win at [[Parnell Park]] to book a place in Division 1B for 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-30671346.html|title = Kerry get promotion to Division 1B; Tyrone and Donegal to meet again|date = 11 April 2015}}</ref> [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] went into the [[2015 Christy Ring Cup]] as hot favorites having lost the two previous finals. Wins over [[Down GAA|Down]], [[Meath GAA|Meath]] and a huge semi-final win over [[Kildare GAA|Kildare]] seen [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] in the final for the fourth time in six seasons. The [[2015 Christy Ring Cup Final]] with [[Derry GAA|Derry]] was a case of third time lucky for Collins as he finally got his hands on a winner medal after a 1–20 to 0–12 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/shane-nolan-kelps-kerry-make-it-third-time-lucky-in-christy-ring-1.2240496|title=Shane Nolan kelps Kerry make it third time lucky in Christy Ring|publisher=Irish Times|date=6 June 2015|accessdate=18 July 2015|first=Pat|last=Keane}}</ref>
[[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] and Collins had a dream start to life in Division 1B of the [[2016 National Hurling League]] as they overcame [[Laois GAA|Laois]] in the opening round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/laois-kerry-nhl-february-2016-2604079-Feb2016/|title = Ciaran Carey's Kerry begin life in Division 1B with impressive seven-point win in Laois| date=14 February 2016 }}</ref> Before running [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]] to just four points.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-kerry-division-1b-2616132-Feb2016/|title = Limerick receive Killarney test before recording four-point win over Kerry| newspaper=The42 | last1=Stack | first1=Damian }}</ref> Heavy losses to both [[Wexford GAA|Wexford]] and [[Clare GAA|Clare]] looked to derail the season before a historic first victory over [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] in 60 years at [[Birr, County Offaly|Birr]] on the final day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0320/776168-offaly-v-kerry/|title = Kerry hurlers stun Offaly in Birr|date = 20 March 2016|last1 = Fallon|first1 = John|website = [[RTÉ.ie]]}}</ref> Despite this they still found themselves in the Division 1B relegation play-off where they again faced [[Laois GAA|Laois]]. Collins and co powered to a second win of the season over their Leinster counterparts at [[Austin Stack Park]] on a 2–27 to 1–19 scoreline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/kerry-laois-division-1b-2695124-Apr2016/|title = Kerry hurlers are staying up in Division 1B after win over 12-man Laois| date=2 April 2016 }}</ref> [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] entered [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]] Qualifier Group along with [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]], [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]] and [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]]. It was a somewhat disappointing campaign for Collins and co as despite an opening round win over [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]] they would lose out to both [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]] and [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] to finish third in the group.
The [[2017 National Hurling League]] wouldn't go as well as 2016. Despite an opining round win over [[Laois GAA|Laois]], where Collins scored two points, that was as good as it got for The Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2017/0212/852084-kerry-v-laois/|title=Laois undone by late Kingdom surge|website=[[RTÉ.ie]]|date=12 February 2017}}</ref> Heavey losees to [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-kerry-hurling-1b-match-report-3247973-Feb2017/|title = Ronan Lynch hits remarkable 3-11 tally as Limerick demolish Kerry| date=19 February 2017 }}</ref> [[Wexford GAA|Wexford]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/wexford-show-no-signs-of-letting-up-as-they-power-past-kerry-1.2998648|title = Wexford show no signs of letting up as they power past Kerry| newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] }}</ref> and [[Galway GAA|Galway]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2017/0312/859166-canning-racks-up-nine-points-on-galway-return/|title = Canning racks up nine points in Galway win|date = 12 March 2017|last1 = Brennan|first1 = Paul|website = [[RTÉ.ie]]}}</ref> followed. It set up a final day show down with [[Offaly]]. It was the Leinster side who got the win to book a Quarter-final spot and put Collins and co into the relegation play-off.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/offaly-set-up-tipp-quarter-final-after-narrow-win-over-kerry-1.3025444|title = Offaly set up Tipp quarter-final after narrow win over Kerry| newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] }}</ref> For the second year in a row they would face [[Laois GAA|Laois]]. It turned out to be an absolute thriller as the sides went to extra time. In the end it was the Leinster side who won out on a 4–20 to 1–30 scoreline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2017/0401/864465-laois-squeeze-through-after-a-thriller-against-kerry/|title=Laois survive following an absolute thriller with Kerry|website=[[RTÉ.ie]]|date=April 2017}}</ref> Come championship Kerry again played in the [[2017 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster Championship]] however Collins missed out on all three of the side's games.
For the [[2018 National Hurling League]] [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] found themselves back in Division 2A. Losses to main rivals [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]] and [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]] meant Collins and co missed out on a league final spot. Come championship [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] took place in the inaugural staging of the [[Joe McDonagh Cup]]. As in the league losses to [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]] and [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]] meant Collins and co again missed out on a final spot.
Collins missed the opening rounds of the [[2019 National Hurling League]]. He returned to help his side to the final where they faced [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]]. The result didn't go [[Kerry GAA|Kerry's]] was losing out on a 0–12 to 0–10 scoreline.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gaa.ie/hurling/hurling-league-roinn-2a/westmeath-kerry/1495991/ | title=Westmeath 0-12 0-10 Kerry }}</ref> Despite a good league campaign the [[Joe McDonagh Cup]] wasn't as good. Collins and co needed a last round win over [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] to avoid relegation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://punditarena.com/gaa/thepateam/offaly-relegated-as-kerry-seal-joe-mcdonagh-cup-status/ | title=Offaly Relegated as Kerry Seal Joe McDonagh Cup Status | date=15 June 2019 }}</ref>
Collins missed out on the [[2020 National Hurling League]] due to injury. The [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games]] however seen the [[2020 Joe McDonagh Cup|Joe McDonagh Cup]] being played later in the season and as a result Collins was able to get back to fitness. Wins over [[Meath GAA|Meath]], [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]] and [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]] seen the Kingdom qualify for a first McDonagh Cup final. In the final they faced [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]] in [[Croke Park]] as a curtain-raiser for the [[2020 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final]]. Despite two points from Collins the title went to [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]] on a 0–22 to 1–17 scoreline.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1213/1184171-antrim-withstand-kerry-fightback-to-claim-mcdonagh-cup/ | title=Antrim withstand Kerry fightback to claim McDonagh Cup | date=13 December 2020 | last1=Keane | first1=Paul | website=[[RTÉ.ie]] }}</ref> Collins ended the year by winning a Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year award.
The [[2021 National Hurling League]] seen Collins and co lose our to main rivals [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] and [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]] and missed out in a final spot. The [[2021 Joe McDonagh Cup]] see [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] in a group with [[Down GAA|Down]] and [[Meath GAA|Meath]]. An opening round win over [[Down GAA|Down]] looked to put the Kerrymen on track, however a surprise loss to [[Meath GAA|Meath]] looked to derail the season. However, in a strange twist of fate Kerry had a better scoring difference and qualified for the final for the second season in a row. In the final [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] faced [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]]. Is wasn't to be as Collins was on the losing side once again on a 2–28 to 1–24 scoreline.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.the42.ie/westmeath-kerry-5498585-Jul2021/ | title=Westmeath storm past Kingdom to win Joe McDonagh Cup | date=17 July 2021 }}</ref>
[[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] qualified for the semi-final of the [[2022 National Hurling League]] where they lost out to [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]], with Collins playing a role throughout.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/sport/gaa/brave-kingdom-cant-quite-recover-from-early-boyle-red-card-41490184.html | title=Brave Kingdom can't quite recover from early Boyle red card | date=26 March 2022 }}</ref> The [[2022 Joe McDonagh Cup]] seen [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] in a group along with [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]], [[Down GAA|Down]], [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]], [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] and [[Meath GAA|Meath]]. Wins over [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]], [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]] and [[Meath GAA|Meath]] seen [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] qualify for a third final in a row. For the second time in three seasons it was a [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] v [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]] final. Despite three points from Collins [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] lost a thriller on a 5–22 to 4–24 scoreline.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gaa.ie/hurling/news/joe-mcdonagh-cup-final-antrim-win-thriller/ | title=Joe McDonagh Cup Final: Antrim win thriller | date=4 June 2022 }}</ref> Collins missed out on [[Kerry GAA|Kerry's]] Preliminary Quarter-Final loss to [[Wexford GAA|Wexford]].
==Honours==
===Team===
;Kilmoyley *[[Kerry Senior Hurling Championship]] (4): [[2015 Kerry Senior Hurling Championship|2015]], [[2016 Kerry Senior Hurling Championship|2016]], [[2020 Kerry Senior Hurling Championship|2020]], [[2021 Kerry Senior Hurling Championship|2021]] *[[Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship]] (1): 2021
;Ardfert *[[Kerry Intermediate Football Championship]] (1): 2014 *[[Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship]] (1): 2014 *[[All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship]] (1): 2015
;St Brendan's District *[[Kerry Minor Football Championship]] (1): 2012
;Kerry *[[Christy Ring Cup]] (1): [[2015 Christy Ring Cup|2015]] *[[National Hurling League|National League (Division 2A)]] (2): [[2014 National Hurling League|2014]], [[2015 National Hurling League|2015]] *[[All-Ireland Under 21 B Hurling Championship]] (1): 2013 *[[All-Ireland Minor B Hurling Championship]] (1): 2012 **GAA/GPA 2020 Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year (1): 2020
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Navboxes |title= Daniel Collins navigation boxes |bg= |fg= |list1= {{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{succession box |before=[[John Griffin (hurler)|John Griffin]] |title=[[List of Kerry senior hurling team captains|Kerry Senior Hurling Captain]] |years=2016 |after=[[Aiden McCabe]] }} {{s-end}} {{Kerry Under-21 Hurling Team 2013}} {{Kerry Hurling Team 2015}} {{Kerry Hurling Team 2020}} {{Kerry Hurling Team 2021}} {{2020 Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Collins, Daniel}} [[Category:1994 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Ardfert Gaelic footballers]] [[Category:Kilmoyley hurlers]] [[Category:Kerry inter-county hurlers]] [[Category:Hurling backs]] [[Category:Gaelic games players from County Kerry]] [[Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen]]