Testing time for Collins and Galway

HECTIC times for Galway’s David Collins.

As one of the main men behind the website www.mocks.ie, an online exam and correction service designed specifically for Junior and Leaving Cert students, with the exams around the corner, he is up to his eyes in work at the moment.

Throw in the fact that the Allianz Hurling League is hitting its crucial period, and you get the picture.

“It’s difficult,” he said, “I won’t pretend otherwise. This is our busiest time of the year on the website.

“The mocks are happening and the orals are coming up, so we’re massively busy. You’re picking up papers, dropping off papers, keeping on top of the website. I don’t how we manage it but you always find a way.

“I’m not married, no kids on the scene either. If there were, something would have to give. Probably the website, so I could concentrate on the hurling!

“Seriously though, it’s really a question of managing your schedule and I actually find the training a great break. It’s a lot easier to tune off work when you have a couple of hours in the field a few times a week, it helps you to refocus.”

It helps too that, even as the GAA is itself discussing the option, David engaged in his own pre-season, which meant that as his work schedule was building up over the last few months, he was able to take it a little easier in training.

“I knew it would have been impossible to do both at the same time so I got all my heavy lifting done early. I actually found the training a lot easier than most of the lads, because of that.

“If you leave it too late, it really takes its toll, especially when you’ve been sitting at a desk all day. I have to thank the other three lads in the company as well. They understand my situation, really pull their weight, give 100% all the time.”

At a time when so many GAA players are struggling, even at the top, he’s a good news story. David Collins, a go-getter, doing things for himself, recession or no recession. He has been hit, but ploughs on.

“In terms of the bank, yes, that’s become a lot more difficult but people still spend on education,” he explains.

“We’re riding the recession, if you want to put it that way, we’re robust enough. It’s all online, everything a student needs is there for them without any extra cost associated with travel, so it’s a win-win situation.”

But he could do with a win this weekend against Galway. Taking on unbeaten Kilkenny having lost to Cork away last week.

“When they were winning All-Irelands a few years ago, Cork had the likes of Ben and Jerry, small slight guys but fast. I think they’ve replicated that with the forwards they have now.

“I was on Luke O’Farrell. He was like a rocket, so fast off the mark. Patrick Horgan is a super hurler, fit, strong, great striker, and Paudie O’Sullivan too was impressive.

“That could be a serious full-forward line if they get the right ball, and Pa Cronin played very well in midfield against us.

“Outside them, Niall McCarthy seems to be getting better with age, seriously strong. Cian McCarthy is a fine athlete and he can hurl, no stopping him when he gets going.

“When you have the likes of Cathal Naughton on the bench, coming on, I’d be very worried about Cork this year, they’re going to be a serious outfit in the Munster championship.”

Galway likewise, in Leinster, wouldn’t it be nice to lay down a marker in Pearse Stadium this Sunday?

“It’s a great opportunity,” said David. “Like Cork, John McIntyre started building a team here two or three years ago; he brought in a lot of young guys, and now you see fellas like Ger O’Halloran coming in to corner-back, a super hurler, more or less a direct replacement for Ollie Canning.

“We still have a lot of fellas out but sometimes that can be a benefit, you find out if the young lads can make the grade, and McIntyre is fair like that — if you play well in the league, you’ll get your chance in championship.”