Daniel "Danny" Collins (born 1994) is an Irish hurler who plays as a center half forward for the Kerry senior team.
Born in Kilmoyley, County Kerry, Collins first played competitive hurling during his schooling at Causeway Comprehensive School.
Contents
Club
Collins had enjoyed much success at club level in both football and hurling with Ardfert and Kilmoyley. As well as underage success with St Brendan's District.
In 2012 he won a Kerry Minor Football title with the St Brendan's District team after a win over Kenmare District in the final.
His first major senior success came when he won a Kerry Intermediate Football Championship in 2014 after a win over Spa in the final, He later added a Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship title after a win over Valley Rovers from Cork in the final. He later lined out in Croke Park as Ardfet faced St. Croan's from Roscommon in the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship final. A 1–14 to 0–09 win saw Collins pick up an All-Ireland winners medal.
He lined out in the 2014 Kerry Senior Hurling Championship final where his side faced Lixnaw. His first senior final ended in disappointment as he was on the losing side after a re-play.
[[Kilmoyley GAA|Kilmoyley]] were back in the final in 2015 where they faced St Brendan's Ardfert. Collins was in fine form as he helped himself to 2–10 in a 3–15 to 1–13 win to land his first county title.
Kilmoyley qualified for a third final in a row in 2016 where they faced off with Ballyduff. The sided finished level 1–17 to 2-14 Collins who his second title after a replay win on a 1–18 to 2–13 win. Kilmoyley overcame Limerick champions Monaleen to book a place in the Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship. In the final Collins and co faced Waterford champions [[Lismore GAA|Lismore]] in Mallow. Despite scoring all of his side's points, 0–13 in total, it wasn't enough as the title went to Waterford on a 2–14 to 0–13 scoreline.
A 2018 final loss to Lixnaw was Collins and co lot for the next few seasons.
Kilmoyley were back in the final once more in 2020, where the faced holders Causeway.
Underage
Collins played both football and hurling at minor level with Kerry.
He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Kerry minor hurling team. His first success came when he won an All-Ireland Minor B Hurling Championship title in 2012 after a final win over Roscommon.
He also lined out with the minor footballers in 2012. His only appearance was as a sub against Limerick.
He would later join the under-21 side and had some success. In 2013 he was part of the team that won the All-Ireland Under-21 B Hurling Championship after beating Kildare in the final.
Senior
He made his senior debut during the 2013 league. Collins quickly became a regular member of the starting fifteen as Kerry qualified for the Christy Ring Cup final where they faced Down where Collins lined out at midfield. Despite being favorites Collins side lost out on a 3–16 to 2–17 scoreline.
He was a regular member of the starting fifteen during 2014 league. Collins helped Kerry qualify for the National League (Division 2A) final where they faced Carlow. Despite being underdogs Collins side took the title on a 3–16 to 3–13 scoreline. Kerry would subsequently lose a controversial Promotion/relegation play-off with Offaly. Collins and co regrouped for the Christy Ring Cup. Wins over Derry, Kildare and Mayo seen Kerry qualify for a second final in a row. In the Final Kerry again faced Kildare. Like in 2013 Collins and co came into the game as big favorites, however it was Kildare's goals that made the difference as they took the title on a 4–18 to 2–22 scoreline.
For the second season in a row Kerry qualified for the National League (Division 2A) final where they this time faced Westmeath. Collins and co powered to a 5–17 to 3–17 win to win a second league title. Kerry would again have to play a controversial Promotion/relegation play-off with Antrim. However where the Kingdom fell short to Offaly in 2014 it was to be different as Collins and co had a famous 2–16 to 1–18 win at Parnell Park to book a place in Division 1B for 2016. Kerry went into the 2015 Christy Ring Cup as hot favorites having lost the two previous finals. Wins over Down, Meath and a huge semi-final win over Kildare seen Kerry in the final for the fourth time in six seasons. The 2015 Christy Ring Cup Final with Derry was a case of third time lucky for Collins as he finally got his hands on a winner medal after a 1–20 to 0–12 win.
Kerry and Collins had a dream start to life in Division 1B of the 2016 National Hurling League as they overcame Laois in the opening round. Before running Limerick to just four points. Heavy losses to both Wexford and Clare looked to derail the season before a historic first victory over Offaly in 60 years at Birr on the final day. Despite this they still found themselves in the Division 1B relegation play-off where they again faced Laois. Collins and co powered to a second win of the season over their Leinster counterparts at Austin Stack Park on a 2–27 to 1–19 scoreline. Kerry entered Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Qualifier Group along with Carlow, Westmeath and Offaly. It was a somewhat disappointing campaign for Collins and co as despite an opening round win over Carlow they would lose out to both Westmeath and Offaly to finish third in the group.
Honours
Team
Kilmoyley
Kerry Senior Hurling Championship (4): 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021
Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship (1): 2021
Ardfert
Kerry Intermediate Football Championship (1): 2014
Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship (1): 2014
All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship (1): 2015
St Brendan's District
Kerry Minor Football Championship (1): 2012
Kerry
Christy Ring Cup (1): 2015
National League (Division 2A) (2): 2014, 2015
All-Ireland Under 21 B Hurling Championship (1): 2013
All-Ireland Minor B Hurling Championship (1): 2012
GAA/GPA 2020 Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year (1): 2020