NAME: Michael Collins DATE OF BIRTH: 10/9/73 HEIGHT: 5' 11" WEIGHT: 12st CLUB: Erin's Own, Lavey COUNTY: Derry HONOURS: 1 county, Ulster and All-Ireland Club football medal; 1 Ulster and All-Ireland Colleges football medal (St Pats Maghera); 2 Ulster minor hurling medals; 4 Ulster Colleges hurling medals; 2 county senior hurling medals; 7 underage county medals (all hurling); 2 Ulster College All Stars (hurling) PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Student at St. Patrick's College, Maghera FAMOUS RELATIONS: None that I know of INTER-COUNTY DEBUT: versus Down, however haven't played one since. 1990 National Hurling League, Ballycran, Co. Down TOUGHEST OPPONENT: The next one FAVOURITE GROUNDS: Obviously Croke Park, but also Casement Park, Belfast FAVOURITE POSITION: Full forward SPORTING AMBITION: To win an Ulster senior hurling championship DO YOU PLAY ANY OTHER SPORTS: Nothing else besides gaelic football and hurling BOYHOOD HEROES: Cork's pair - Jimmy Barry Murphy and John Fenton FAVOURITE PLAYER: Cork's John Fitzgibbon BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON CAREER: Local man Gerard Dillon, who's now living in America and former Derry full back Tom Magill. Also Cork pair, Fr. Bertie Troy and Tom Nott WAYS OF IMPROVING THE GAME: Issue one set of rules, so as there is no variation in refereeing, whether it be in the north or south DISLIKES ABOUT THE GAA: Speaking with regard to my own county, I think underage competitions usually play second fiddle to the senior competitions, and it's around these that all the fixtures are decided. The playing of a minor hurling championship in late November or early December is just not on, more organisation within the County Board is needed BEST GAME PLAYED IN: Either of the Ulster minor hurling finals TIP FOR THE FUTURE: Derry to win an Ulster hurling title in the next five years HOPES FOR 1992: To play a bit of football over the winter and to be fighting fit for the beginning of new season Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 31st January 1992 Vol 2 No 40 Tweet

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