Good Luck to Pa Collins and the Cork Hurlers

(JJ Hurley)

As the GAA fraternity head to Croke Park tomorrow, The Carrigdhoun would like to send its best wishes to Carrigdhoun's Patrick Collins and the Cork team.

The Ballinhassig net minder has played a crucial role in helping the Rebels reach the semi-final stage of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Competition to date, including a crucial role in the penalty shoot out in the Munster final.

Collins is related to two former intercounty keepers Martin (SNR) and Martin (JNR) Coleman, but incidentally it's not the local connection, as the family connection is related to the Murphy's of Bride Rovers.

Carrigdhoun players have long played a pivotal role in Cork's success at senior level.

Indeed, in Cork's most recent win over Dublin, it was Kieran Kingston who trained the Rebels, with Jimmy Barry as the team manager in 2013.

Previous to that, Cork have only twice ever played the Dubs in an All-Ireland semi-final.

In 1928, Jim O' Regan, Kinsale, togged out for Cork in the semi-final as they faced the Dubs.

O'Regan, who hailed across the water from Castlepark, played with the seasiders as Courcey Rovers had no hurling side at the time.

In the All-Ireland Finals, Cork have faced Dublin nine times, since they first met in 1894 as Cork won out by 5-20 to 2-0.

However, the last semi-final the sides met in, 2013, Cork fans will remember they were lucky to get out of jail.

Certainly, Collins and his colleagues will have to be on their best behaviour, as anything less will see possibly the Rebel's exiting the championship.

Having produced some outstanding saves over the years, with last year's semi-final save from an Arron Gillane rocket now very much an iconic stop, Cork will again be reliant on the Ballinhassig net-minder as the last line of defence on Saturday.

In addition, the development of keepers in the modern game has seen something akin to the quarter back in American football, so Collins's puck outs will be crucial to starting Cork's attacks.

Having proven he's the man who doesn't wilt under the pressure of the big day, Collins and the Rebels will be hoping to make at least one more appearance in Croke Park on All-Ireland Sunday.