The Late Billy Collins Mid-August last year. It was of the games of the young century Limerick had out-gunned Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final. The Shannonsiders would play for the Liam McCarthy Cup for the first time in 13 years. Plotting on from the midlands, Billy Collins knew this was one game he wasn't going to miss. His knees, though had been giving him problems for some time. He was waiting on an operation. It wasn't due until after the final. He was 73. Travelling could be a problem. Billy wasn't much one for obstacles however. A proud Limerick man, a proud hurling man, he wouldn't entertain the idea of missing out. Come what may Billy was on the march to Croke Park. He travelled over on crutches. That was his alright determined. He carried that quality from his first breath to his last. His teammates of old have words to add to determined. "Inspiration, Heart, Will to win. That was Billy Collins. I could only say he was the best man I trained under and I trained under a few," says Louis Moloney, originally from Ballyhale Shamrocks, Kilkenny and an All-Ireland winning midfielder for Warwickshire in 1969. Billy played just up the field at left-half forward as well as training the team. "He was a fitness fanatic," says Louis. "He had us out training four nights a week' This in a time when most senior county teams would have struggled to do half that amount. The team talks Billy would deliver were both "inspirational and tactical" says Louis. "He knew how to lift everybody. He had a heart of gold." British GAA president John Gormley only had one way to begin the conversation about Billy Collins. "I just wanted to say he was one of the greatest Gaels to ever leave Ireland." The Leitrim man continued: "Limerick would have benefited from keeping him and Warwickhshire would have had a lot less without him." As well as praising his tireless work with John Mitchels, Gormley spoke about the vision and hard work of Collins and his peers who managed to put together a financial package to make Páirc na hEireannn a reality - not to mention keep it going all through the seasons. "He'll be greatly missed by the GAA all over Britain and especially at Páirc na HÉireann where he had such a warm welcome for everyone. I'd like to offer my sympathies to family on behalf of the GAA. What can I say? There was only one Billy Collins". The midlands Irish community has been left saddened and shocked following the untimely death of a devoted family man and sporting stalwart who would have been celebrating his 44th wedding anniversary . Tributes have been pouring in for 73 year old Co. Limerick native Billy Collins who died following a short stay in hospital on Wednesday March 26. The Irishman is survived by his wife of 44 years mary who is from Kilkenny. The pair met at an Irish social evening at Moseley Institute in Birmingham over 45 years ago and the couple were due to celebrate their anniversary on March 30. He also leaves sons, Liam, Seán and Michael, daughter Una and five grandchildren one grandson, Brendan sadly died. Billy came to Birmingham in 1954, where he took a job in the civil engineering trade- a job he would stay in for the rest of his life. But even more important than his career was the close links he established with a local GAA club, John Mitchels- a club which would later benefit from Billy's skills as a hurler, trainer, referee and club delegate. He went on to be a County Board representative for Warwickshire and held numerous posts including an unbroken record of 25 years as chairman of Warwickshire County Board. He resigned from that post in 2002. Leitrim-born Aidan Flynn is the current president of Warwickhire GAA and is a committee member of O'Rahill's GAA Club in Corby, Northants. He said: "Billy's death has come as a great shock to us all. I've known him for almost 40 years and during this time he had been a trusty and loyal servant to his club, his county and the GAA in Britain. "Billy's term as chairman of Warwickshire County Board for more than 25 years is unequalled and shows the huge commitment and passions he had as player, referee and committee member for Ireland's national sport in Warwickhire and Britain." In 2006 Billy was also the recipient of an Irish Post Pride of Ireland Award for services to the GAA. The honour came about following countless nominations from the Irish community from the Irish community in Birmingham and was seen as yet another testament to his dedication to his fellow countrymen and the GAA. He was often described as a quietly-spoken person, who hated having his photograph taken and who tended to shun the limelight but his dedication and passion for GAA knew no bounds. Joe Roarke, a former Warwickshire GAA Secretary and friend of the former chairman, said: "It was very upsetting to hear about Billy;he has been a good friend who I've known for about 50 years. 'We met playing football and hurling before we both became officials and later worked together in Warwickshire GAA where I was the secretary for 30 years and he was the chairman for 25. "He was a great man for the game and also a great man for working. "He went to the pitch three to four times each week after he finished his day's work and would always do something. "Whether it was marking the grounds or putting out the flags he would make the 40 mile round trip just to do it. "That was just how he was brought up, to love the game, and after his family and work, he lived for football and hurling." Those who knew the Irishman said that he would often say how he would hate to see weeds growing over the two pitches at Páirc na hÉireann - by that he meant that he was concerned about the lack of new blood in the GAA as the huge surge of Irish folk who had came from Ireland in the past had ceased. And Billy had also hoped that the GAA schools project would at least result in new underage players joining Warwickshire teams. Joe Roarke said: 'Billy didn't drink or smoke, he just loved the game and that was why he was so dedicated to the club. "His legacy will be that we now have a ground with two pitches and a clubhouse and that only happened through a big effort made by him. "And although he was quiet, unassuming and hated the limelight, Billy was generous and supportive and got things done. "I hope he will be remembered for the massive contribution he has made to the Gaelic Athletic Association in Britain". Billy son Michael followed his father's footsteps with John Mitchels - he as team trainer for over five years. Tribute to Billy Collins Secretary of Erin go Bragh Club Denis Neenan maintains that Billy was an integral part to the success of GAA in the midlands. The Kildare native said: "On behalf of all our club members, we would like to pay tribute to Billy and offer our sincerest condolences to his wife and family. "His loyalty to the game and to Warwickshire County Board was untouchable -working with people like Joe Roarke, Billy steered a path through sometimes very difficult times to ensure that Páirc na hÉireann is the success it is today." Billy's successor as chairman of Warwickshire County Board, Limerick-born Larry McAuliffe, was returning from Ireland when he heard the sad news. Praising the former chairman's dedication to the sport, he said: "We are all in shock. "I doubt if you could ever meet a man so dedicated to the GAA - in all the many roles he was involved in over the years, be it player, referee, club trainer or County Board chairman, Billy's commitment to the sport was 100 per cent" Courtesy of The Irish Post 5th April 2008 Tweet

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