Latest news with #PatrickCollins
The 42
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
'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.'
Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Patrick Collins: 'The fact that it actually went to penalties is a bit surreal in itself'
Patrick Collins played a pivotal role for Cork in Saturday night's historic Munster final victory. The number one custodian was the centre of attention when it came to deciding the destination of the Mick Mackey Cup. With the Cork fans united in a sea of red behind him, it was his save from Tom Morrissey - Limerick's fourth penalty taker - that gave the new champions the edge. Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane had scored but with Barry Murphy and Declan Hannon sending their efforts wide, Cork won the shootout 3-2. 'No, I never thought it would go to penalties, not at all. Far from it,' said the Ballinhassig club man. 'After training, a few of us would do a few penalties. Just, yeah, after every few sessions, but it's not something we kind of focus on, thinking that it might happen down the line. It's not something you practice too much for, penalties. 'I suppose when we got to penalties, just kind of hoping for the best and getting a bit of luck, and thankfully we did at the end. The fact that it actually went to penalties is a bit surreal in itself. You just try your best and it came out right in the end. 'I think we won the toss, yeah. I suppose the fact you're going down to the Cork crowd and you heard the cheer going down, I suppose it gave you a bit of belief, a bit of hope as well. But no, it was unreal. I'm thankful to be able to do that in front of the fans, so it's class. 'I never thought the game was gone from us at any stage. If you're thinking that, you're gone out of the moment. The game doesn't be long going if you're thinking like that. But no, whatever happens, good or bad, you're in the next moment, and you move on.' Puck-out strategy has been under so much scrutiny. So how did he think he fared? 'Yeah, look, I don't know the stats on the puck-outs, but just from thinking about what happened throughout the game, I think we got a bit of joy off of them. They won a few as well. But overall, if we work hard and get on the breaks, our puck outs did well, yeah.' The performance was a big improvement compared to the substantial 16-point defeat the previous day. 'When we came up three weeks ago, we learned a lesson that if you're a percent off at all against this Limerick team, they're going to punish you, and they did that night. We just wanted to put in a performance, that's what we wanted to do today, to put in a performance and try and do the right things, and thankfully it paid off. 'You've to try to get a good start, if you can at all, and try to go toe-to-toe with them, because if you give them a bit of a lead, it's kind of hard, especially in their home ground. But no, from the off, we wanted to get a good start, and I think we did that.' Taking the front door route to an All-Ireland semi-final is one of the rewards. 'Look, it's huge. I suppose a four-week break gives lads with a few injuries a few weeks to get them right, and get back in for competition and training. That's something we live off is the competition we have in training, and the competition that we have with the lads. We've 38 unbelievable solid lads, and each lad is pushing for their place, and it's going to be no different the next four weeks.'
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Cork end Limerick's Munster dominance after epic battle at the Gaelic Grounds
Munster Hurling Final: Cork 2-27 Limerick 1-30 AET (Cork win 3-2 on penalties) Cork are the new Munster hurling champions, an unexpected outcome that sent hordes of their delirious supporters, in a crowd of 43,580, on to the pitch at the Gaelic Grounds, as Robert Downey accepted the Mick Mackey Cup. Dismissed as having no more realistic ambitions than making inroads into the 16-point mauling suffered at the hands of Limerick less than three weeks previously, their understrength team rallied magnificently to confound the serial champions. It took penalties, a first ever shoot-out in a provincial final, to separate the teams at the end but by hanging on when it looked as if the champions had irresistible momentum in the second half and indeed after Darragh Fitzgibbon had seen their first penalty saved by Nickie Quaid, the new champions were well deserving of their 55th Munster title. The final was a smouldering, frantic affair, loosely refereed by Thomas Walsh, who went down with cramp in extra time and was replaced by James Owens. READ MORE It included an ill-tempered confrontation between the backroom teams at half-time, which will presumably attract the attention of the disciplinary authorities. Cork's goalkeeper Patrick Collins saves a penalty to win the game. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho After the near humiliation of the group match, Cork were viewed by many as akin to a political party, having suffered a landslide defeat and needing two more elections to catch up. Happily, hurling isn't politics and this match was completely different in its dynamic, respective performances and crucially, outcome. Although their bench appeared to compare unfavourably with the multiple All-Ireland winning opponents' reserves, it was the Cork auxiliaries who proved decisive, providing 0-6 of their extra-time scores, the lion's share from Shane Kingston (0-3) and Conor Lehane (0-2), who also hit penalties in the shoot-out. For John Kiely, it was a first defeat in 14 senior finals, spanning leagues, provincial championships and All-Irelands. Having posted a powerfully authoritative display in the group match, which matched their best efforts of recent years, this was a more fallible performance. They hit crucial wides when faced with the prospect of pulling away and winning a seventh successive Munster title, particularly in extra time when they looked a tired collective and even in the penalty shoot-out when their last three efforts were weary strikes. Limerick's Gearoid Hegarty with Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Cork brought a greater urgency to their efforts both in defence and in attack, getting pressure on Limerick and disrupting the smooth patterns that had effectively monopolised the previous meeting. They started with intent, opening a three-point lead in the first six minutes and even though they were reeled back in on many occasions, always responded either to equalise or nudge back in front. An attack that managed just 0-3 from play in the entire 70 minutes on the last day out had 1-10 from play by half-time, at which point they led by four, 1-14 to 1-10. The goals had spiced up exchanges, first Aidan O'Connor equalising 1-5 to 0-8 in the 20th minute after a pinpoint ball from Cian Lynch had given him a run at Eoin Downey. His batted effort beat Patrick Collins at the near post. Seven minutes later, a Cork attack ended with Brian Hayes, under real pressure, slipping the ball out to Shane Barrett, who whipped it sharply into the net, putting his team 1-9 to 1-7 ahead. Having regained the initiative, they pulled away by half-time. There had been fine individual moments, especially from debutant Diarmuid Healy, who would finish with 0-3 from play. Referee Thomas Walsh receives assistance from Limerick's Adam English after suffering cramp during extra time. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Limerick were unable to establish the same puck-out domination even with the wind in the second half, but with the half-forward line of Tom Morrissey, Cian Lynch and Gearóid Hegarty, the Shannonsiders had their go-getters. It was Hegarty, who launched a quick free into the forwards, which Gillane got to and cleverly kicked the ball into Shane O'Brien. The replacement finished emphatically and tied the match at 2-13 to 1-16 after Cork had largely protected the lead in the third quarter. It went point for point for most of the remainder of the contest. When Limerick appeared to be making good the momentum of their goal, Cork kept hitting back. It was all hands on deck with points on the evening for two of their full-back line, veteran Damien Cahalane and Eoin Downey. Limerick lost the better chances. Aaron Gillane had a free before the end of normal time to win it but Horgan also was ready to fire a point when blocked by Kyle Hayes, who was less imposing on this occasion than he had been in May. It was the wides in extra time that really cost the champions. They managed six, some of them really poor shot selection, whereas Cork had just one, a free attempt from Fitzgibbon, who nonetheless had a storming match at centrefield, making up for his subdued outing at centre forward three weeks previously. Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon celebrates scoring a late point to take the game to penalties. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho It was who took on the final act of extra time, a 65, awarded when the usually flawless Nickie Quaid spilled a long-range free from the same player and it went out of play. It cleared the bar, wiping out Gillane's free for a foul on Cathal O'Neill, which briefly looked to have taken the champions home. Their manager, John Kiely, was unhappy at James Owens playing well over the allotted one minute of injury-time at the end but there had been stoppages within time added on. Finally, the dice were rolled with the first penalty shoot-out in MacCarthy Cup history. Diarmuid Byrnes scored first and Fitzgibbon fired his straight at Quaid before Gillane made it 2-0. But from then on the champions were curiously lacking in conviction and Cork seemingly energised, as they seized the day. LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Finn, D Morrissey, M Casey; D Byrnes (0-1f), K Hayes, B Nash; A English (0-3), W O'Donoghue; G Hegarty (0-2), C Lynch, T Morrissey (0-2); A Gillane (0-9, 7f), A O'Connor (1-1), D Reidy (0-3). Subs: S O'Brien (1-2) for O'Connor (42 mins), P Casey (0-1) for Reidy, C O'Neill for T Morrissey (both 55), D O'Donovan (0-1) for O'Donoghue (65), B Murphy for M Casey, D Hannon (0-1) for Byrnes (both e-t), D Morrissey for Hegarty (79), D Byrnes for Lynch (90). Penalties: Byrnes, Gillane, Murphy (wide), T Morrissey (saved), Hannon (wide). CORK: P Collins; D Cahalane (0-1), E Downey (0-1), S O'Donoghue; M Coleman, C Joyce, C O'Brien; T O'Mahony (0-1), D Fitzgibbon (0-4, 1f, 65); D Healy (0-3), S Barrett (1-3), S Harnedy (0-2); P Horgan (0-7, 4f, B Hayes (0-1), A Connolly (0-1). Subs: R Downey for O'Brien, T O'Connell (0-1) for O'Mahony (both 59 mins), S Kingston (0-3) for Connolly, R O'Flynn for Harnedy (both 65), C Lehane (0-2) for Horgan (70), N O'Leary for O'Donoghue (73), B Roche for Healy (80), A Connolly for Coleman (84). Penalties: Fitzgibbon (saved), Lehane, Kingston, Connolly. Referee: T Walsh (Waterford) replaced by J Owens (Wexford) from 73rd minute.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Critics washed over Cork netminder who now enjoys best run of form for Rebels
It's just over 12 months ago that Cork were on the brink of Championship elimination and, for many, Patrick Collins was the fall guy. They had lost their opening two games to Waterford and Clare and while the concession of five goals in the course of doing so was less than ideal, Collins's restarts were more where the problem lay. The management team hadn't been slow to make changes to the side after the Waterford loss but having kept faith with Collins, there were calls for him to be shipped out for the pivotal visit of Limerick. 'I'd be good at keeping the outside noise out,' says the Ballinhassig man. 'I wouldn't take much heed to what people are saying or what is being said about what way we are playing or what way the puckouts are going. I know myself what way they are going. 'Again, it's just to work on the different bits at training as best you can and improve each time you go out. 'They are not going to be perfect every day, but you are always trying to get better, you are always trying to make some sort of tweaks here and there. 'The first two games, yeah they would have been down, but when it went to the Limerick game, things started to improve as time went on.' Pat Ryan kept faith with Collins and was rewarded with a near flawless puckout performance as Cork pulled off a sensational win to turn around a season that would end in the All-Ireland final and an All Star nomination for Collins. 'Yeah, there's a great satisfaction off it,' he says of that Limerick display. 'That's working towards trying to be perfect. 'Not always going to be perfect, but you are working towards that and when you do get nights like that, of course you are going to be delighted. 'But then a week later the emotion could be different so it is not something you can rest on. You can think it is brilliant one week and another week then you lose your focus on it. 'As you play games, opposition are going to set up to try and counteract what you are trying to do and what have been working. 'It is a challenge, really, of what other teams are going to try to do and going to try to bring, and that's another interesting feature of the position, and what then can you bring to counteract that and find a way around it.' The 28-year-old grew up in an era when the standard and, indeed, profile of goalkeepers shot up. 'I would have watched Brendan Cummins growing up, Damien Fitzhenry, Davy Fitz, Donal Óg [Cusack], and of course then in the environment I am in, I spent a few years under Anthony Nash, and watching other current goalkeeper such as Nickie Quaid, and lads like that. 'You always looking at keepers to see what they do in different situations and you hopefully take a piece from each one of them and bring it to your own game.' A garda in Anglesea Street in Cork, perhaps the steadier line of form that Collins is now enjoying is somewhat linked to a change in his work routine. Having initially worked four 12-hour shifts back-to-back, a pair of days and nights each, he now has a Monday to Friday desk job in the station. 'The opportunity came up and I took it. While I am playing, it is the perfect scenario to be in, really. It is 9-5 majority of the time. 'When you are fitting in matches and training, along with the shift work, you really have to be aware of your body. But once you find your rhythm and what suits your kind of way of doing things, it just becomes the norm. 'I would have worked the night before a game, but there were times where I would have played a League game at 4pm on a Sunday and you are going to work at 7pm that Sunday night for 12 hours. I did that for the first few years.'
CTV News
01-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
An iceberg resurgence reminds N.L. and its visitors of nature's beauty
An iceberg near St. John's has drawn residents of the provincial capital to take in the views. (Image courtesy Laura Chisholm White) A resurgence of icebergs near Newfoundland and Labrador has been met with plenty of celebration this month - especially after a relatively quiet year in 2024. The sightings have prompted a flood of posts, photos, and stories on social media. An iceberg near St. John's, closer to the town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, has delighted residents of the provincial capital this week. Icebergs are more often seen in central and western parts of the province, requiring a commitment to visit. 'We live in a great part of the world where we can actually experience this on a regular basis,' said Patrick Collins, a Newfoundland ex-patriate who returns to St. John's regularly to visit family and friends. His partner, Karen Collins, has been making those visits too. But this was the first time she had seen an iceberg in person. 'It's amazing,' she concluded. 'I thought it would be just a little speck, but it's quite larger than I thought.' An iceberg near St. John's, closer to the town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, has delighted residents of the provincial capital this week. Icebergs are more often seen in central and western parts of the province, requiring a commitment to visit. 'It looks like a crystal, a pearl on the ocean,' added Jing Wu, who moved to Newfoundland with his wife in 2018 for work but has only seen icebergs twice. The province's iceberg resurgence has prompted a flood of posts, photos and stories on social media. Iceberg in Newfoundland An iceberg sits off the shore of Newfoundland. (Image courtesy Mark Gray) There's no question there's been an uptick in visible sightings compared to last spring, but iceberg spotting experts at C-CORE, a remote sensing lab in St. John's, say it's still well below historical numbers. In 2024, vice-president Desmond Power explained, an El Nino weather pattern brought warmer-than-usual water temperatures to the North Atlantic. That has rebounded somewhat, Power says, though temperatures were still warmer than usual throughout the winter. 'We had expected the Iceberg situation to be pretty light this season, and in fact, we are pretty light this season,' he explained. 'Just not as light as last year.' There are regional variations too, Power said. Communities further west and north are seeing relatively more icebergs, and south and east relatively fewer. 'I look at this as, hey, you know what, this might be actually a new normal year.' Power's C-CORE lab has been hired to track icebergs for offshore oil and gas vessels — who can find them rather troublesome — and for the provincial government, who advertises their positions for tourists trying to take a peek. It's a big driver for visitors from out of province. But after a little bit of time away, many locals find they're drawn to the spectacle for themselves just as much. As 81-year-old Roy Chaytor observed, it brings to mind a conflict between stillness and motion — how is it, he asked, the icebergs could appear so stationary while the cold Atlantic Ocean whips so quickly around them? 'You can come and drink a cup of tea, and look at the Iceberg and try to figure out: Is it on the bottom?' Chaytor said. 'It must be because it's staying there. If it were not on the bottom, it'd be moving inward and coming in, coming in, coming in.'
