'The fact it went to penalties is a bit mad' - Cork's Munster win with a difference
AS A GOALKEEPER operating at the highest level of hurling, Patrick Collins works relentlessly at preparing for game scenarios but Saturday night broke new ground for him.
A penalty shootout between Cork and Limerick after an absorbing period of extra-time, was not just a new experience for the crowd watching on.
'That was my first time (involved in one),' reflected the Cork goalkeeper.
'I don't know how many of them I'd be involved in now, but to come out on top in that one was unreal. This is nuts. The fact it went to penalties is a bit mad. That's just the way we had to do it and thankfully we got out in the end.'
Advertisement
Collins made his mark by denying Tom Morrissey, who struck Limerick's fourth shot.
Cork's goalkeeper Patrick Collins saves a penalty from Tom Morrissey. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
'If you could get even one or two that puts the pressure back on them and takes a bit of the pressure off our lads striking them. You're hoping for a bit of luck then. It's not something we practice too often, penalty shootouts, the odd time, really.
'I don't know how many of them I'd be involved in now, but to come out on top in that one was unreal. When you're going down to the Cork crowd and you get a bit of a cheer, it gives you a bit of a lift. But whatever way it went, you just have to manage it and deal with it.'
So to what extent do the Cork hurlers practice penalties?
'At the end of training we do a few penalties just for the craic, myself and the forwards. That's it, really. It's probably more so for their practice rather than me. It's a bit of a laugh after training and we do it every so often. But to think you'd have a game going into penalties, I suppose the chances are that it's going to (be) slim.'
The prospect had been raised for Collins to double-job and take a penalty himself.
'Well, there was talks of it but I had enough of a job to be (saving) them, never mind taking them. He (Pat Ryan) would have (asked) alright but I said I'd concentrate on the other end. But look, the lads, there's plenty of forwards who can take penalties.
'My brother would take them (for the club). I don't even take them. I don't even practice them.'
Cork's goalkeeper Patrick Collins is congratulated by supporters after the game. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
Cork's ability to emerge successfully from the shootout enabled them to remedy the situation they faced ater being thrashed by 16 points by Limerick a few weeks previously.
A substitute goalkeeper for the 2017 and 2018 successes, this win carries a deeper meaning for Collins as a starter and one he hopes Cork can use as a springboard heading to the All-Ireland series.
Related Reads
5 talking points after Cork defeat Limerick on night of epic Munster final drama
John Kiely: 'I think they got a really good rub of green in that last piece'
'It was crazy to be out on the pitch': Liverpool title celebrations and Limerick hurling glories
'Look, it's class. It's just building blocks, really. We went after a performance and that's what we got and the result took care of itself. But we're no illusion that in four weeks' time, we're going to face a big challenge again. So it's just knuckle down for the next four weeks, work really hard, get everyone back in for competition, enjoy training. I suppose it gives the few lads with injuries just [a chance] to sort out their niggles and stuff like that, but it's time to go hard now again for the next four weeks.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm a Mayo man' – John Joe Patrick opens up on roots and dream of more caps after Republic of Ireland debut
IRELAND fans are still getting to know John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa and even what to call him. Some fans call him Finn, others John Joe, while he is known at French club 2 John Joe Patrick Finn is honoured to play for Ireland as his late father was from Mayo 2 The Stade de Reims ace is excited to create a legacy with Ireland The back of his shirt when he came on for his Ireland debut against Advertisement So what does he prefer to be called? He said: 'I prefer John but there are a lot of Johns in the squad, it's more easy.' The 6ft 4in 21-year-old is a player that naturally excites fans when he bursts onto the international scene given his impressive CV that is like no other in the Ireland squad. Born in Madrid, his mother Odetta is French with Cameroon heritage while his late father - also John - hailed from Galway but had Mayo roots. Advertisement READ MORE ON GAA Spanish is his mother tongue and he told Luxembourgish journalists he did not feel comfortable being interviewed in French yet, but spoke happily to Irish journalists in English. The midfielder said: 'My dad is from Ireland, also my grandfather and when I was young every summer I went to Ballyhaunis. 'So I had that connection when I was young, it really mattered. I am a Mayo man. 'It was nice, growing up it was so different from Madrid, where I lived. Those summers were really great, with my family, we had a great time, great days.' Advertisement Most read in Football He actually played for Salthill Devon for a while though he was first noticed by Irish fans when he joined Real Madrid as a nine-year-old. It was at Getafe he made his breakthrough making ten La Liga appearances as a teenager even as he finished school and progressed into the Ireland Under-19 squad. He earned Ireland Under-21 call-ups too and was also eligible for Spain, France and Cameroon. But while that was a focus in Ireland and led Advertisement ALWAYS IRELAND He said: 'Cameroon no, France no, Spain no, always Ireland. It's always good that the coach makes the effort to go and see you, to speak with me.' His debut came in the last minute as a replacement for Jason Knight on Tuesday night, though the midfielder admitted that it was not quite the debut of his dreams. He said: 'I feel good, I am a bit disappointed with the result, it was not the way I wanted to make my debut but I will just keep working and continue on this way. 'I feel ok but the last minute, it's not the way that everybody wants to make their debut, it's high intensity, into the game and it's not easy.' Advertisement But the 21-year-old hopes that his debut can be the first of many caps having quickly got up to speed with what Hallgrímsson expects from his midfielders. He said: 'He just told me I had to get the tactics, how the team works and I think I am catching the way the team play. We still have a bit of work to do but I am happy. 'The experience was good, the group has a lot of quality, I think if we can continue this way we can do good things. 'We are hungry, we are conscious that we are in a top World Cup group but with the work we are doing we can do it.' Advertisement Ireland's next games come in September with the beginning of the World Cup qualification campaign at home to Hungary and away to Armenia. And the midfielder hopes that a good start to the season with Stade Reims, who were relegated last season, can keep him in Hallgrímsson's plans. He also believes that next year is a big year for him when he expects to play regularly for Reims after a difficult settling in period in France. He added: 'At the beginning it was not easy, I was alone, my family stayed in Madrid but in the end the club made things really easy so the time I adapted was quick and the culture is nice. Advertisement 'It was a difficult moment to end the season like this (with relegation), but to come here is a bit of a distraction from the club, I had great days, now I can rest a bit and come back.'
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland battle but fall short against World No.1 Netherlands in close first encounter
Netherlands 2-0 Ireland Ireland resumed their FIH Pro League season with a close encounter against World No.1 and Olympic champions the Netherlands in Amstelveen. A strong performance from a battling Ireland saw them enjoy long periods of possession and create several chances in front of goal. However, two fortunate goals for the Netherlands saw the home side secure a 2-0 win. The Netherlands threatened from early in the match, with defender Lee Cole called into action almost immediately to clear the ball off the line from an early chance. Ireland responded positively, holding possession well and managing to progress into the Dutch final third, with Ben Walker making his way into the circle, followed by a blocked shot from Alistair Empey. Ireland continued to dominate possession, but a rare chance for the Dutch called Jaime Carr into action to make a smart save. Thierry Brinkman thought he had broken the deadlock with a reverse stick shot but Ireland immediately opted to refer for backstick, which the video umpire agreed with chalking the goal off, seeing the sides end the opening quarter locked at 0-0. Early Dutch pressure again forced Ireland to defend resolutely, answering any questions asked from them. Luke Madeley responded by dribbling out of defence to break the Dutch press, allowing Ireland to mount an attack that ended in Ali Empey drawing a clumsy challenge and winning the first penalty corner of the tie. Luke Madeley's subsequent effort was well blocked by the Dutch first runner. Ireland continued to ask questions of the Dutch, with incisive runs from Fearghus Gibson and Daragh Walsh providing chances. However, a controversial penalty corner for the Netherlands offered them a chance to open the scoring, which Luke Dommershuijzen dispatched to score his first senior goal. Late pressure from the Netherlands in the first half threatened to widen the gap, but a superb block from Matthew Nelson and further defending denied them their second as the sides went into the break. Ireland got the second half underway and immediately looked to attack. Positive play in the final third led to a shot from Lee Cole inside the first minute, but his strike was deemed dangerous, and the Netherlands were given a free out. Patience in possession for Ireland continued to pay dividends, as Matthew Nelson attacked the circle and was unlucky not to get an outcome. The Netherlands, however, showed their goalscoring prowess to double their lead from their first chance of the second half, Steijn van Heijningen deflecting the ball into the net with the deftest of touches. Ireland, though, were determined to continue their positive performance, immediately winning a penalty corner which, again, the Netherlands defended well. Ireland followed this up with another well-worked attacking move which, again, the Dutch cleared. A late flurry of penalty corners before the end of the third quarter called the Irish defence into action again, denying the hosts on three occasions to keep the score at 2-0 at the end of quarter 3. The Netherlands found a higher gear in the final quarter, enjoying longer periods of pressure and manufacturing a handful of shots at goal which Jaime Carr was alive to. Ireland's determination would continue to show with Ali Empey winning Ireland their third penalty corner of the game. Lee Cole's resulting effort was saved and cleared. A penalty corner for the Netherlands inside the final five minutes offered the last moment of note of the game, with Jaime Carr again making a save, to see the game finish in a two-nil win for the Dutch, with the result seeing them extend their lead at the top of the FIH Pro League table to 7 points. The pair will meet again tomorrow, June 12, at 7pm.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Liverpool target PSG star Barcola after Wirtz with transfer spending to top £300MILLION – and haven't ruled out Isak
LIVERPOOL are set to swoop for Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola — pushing their summer spending over £300MILLION. The Premier League champs intend to spend big on another attacker even after they complete a British-transfer record Advertisement 5 Bradley Barcola has emerged as a shock target for Liverpool Credit: Getty 5 Liverpool still have hope of signing Alexander Isak Credit: Getty 5 Florian Wirtz is set to move to Anfield in a record £127m deal Credit: Shutterstock Editorial And they are prepared to battle Kop chiefs would still love 23-goal Isak to lead their But if the Toon insist on a fee of around £150m for the 25-year-old Sweden international, Liverpool will bow out and look for an alternative. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And Barcola has emerged as a spectacular Plan B after doubts emerged over his future with Champions League winners The Anfield giants have already spent £29.5m on Wirtz's Leverkusen team-mate, defender But it is the prospect of Barcola teaming up with Wirtz, 22, and Anfield icon Mo Salah, 32, which will have fans pinching themselves. Barcola, who is Bayern's No 1 target, is no longer part of PSG's first-choice front three. Advertisement Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 He found himself on the bench again for last month's Champions League final against Inter Milan, coming on in the 67th minute and teeing up Senny Mayulu for the last goal in the 5-0 thrashing. Bayern have made no secret of their intention to test PSG's resolve to keep Barcola, who they signed from Lyon for £38m in 2023. Advertisement Liverpool will look to raise funds by offloading erratic forward 5
