DAVID COLLINS IS a hurler who has gone through quite a lot in his time in the Galway jersey.

From winning and losing, long spells out of action due to injury and the untimely death of a teammate and friend, Collins has had a whirlwind few years.

The Liam Mellows’ clubman feels however, that he has the GAA and other various supports to thank for his development, not only as a player but also as a person.

“You get so much. It’s phenomenal for any young player to get into it and be a part of a unit that’s there, because you have got so many lads, they’re nearly like a brotherhood.

“It opens doors. I don’t think I would be in my career where I am today if I wasn’t a GAA player, or wasn’t a hurler.

“It’s a massive part of my life, 13 years going on 14. What will I do if I don’t have it?”

Speaking about his nightmare ankle injury which left him out of action for up to 20 months, Collins admits that he has that to thank for where he is now.

“I wouldn’t be still hurling (today) because I was so engrossed at the time. It was my life. I think it took over and it got to a stage everything revolved around hurling.

“I was thinking ‘right there is a life outside of GAA and I need to start realising that’.

“The support of my family and friends was massive and you’re thinking ’Jesus these people are still here for me even though I was being an absolute tool to them and being unfair on them and expecting everything from them.’”

Collins reiterates the fact that there is more to life than GAA. Players have to have a career or go to college.

“If a player is tunnel vision and wants hurling and football only then that’s a problem. I don’t think that’s a good plan. Because one injury at one time of the year will ruin your career for life.

Collins celebrates with Jonny Glynn after reaching the 2015 All-Ireland Final. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“You have to live your life outside of hurling. Johnny Glynn and these boys have to go and live and experience things or they won’t be the people they want to be. And they’ll have regrets. If you have regrets I don’t think that’s worth it.”

The talented player opened up about the death of Niall Donoghue, saying he got involved with the Galway mental health organisation Jigsaw soon after.

“The death of Niall was massive in our team and I think it still reverberates throughout the whole team whenever someone gets a number five jersey, you know?

“(Getting involved in Jigsaw) allowed me to understand what certain players are going through, and what certain youths are going through.

“As a GAA player your profile is high, but it’s what you can give back to the community as well. It’s about how good you can be yourself, and what you can bring to other people’s lives.”

Mental health in GAA is something that Collins feels strongly about, and he thinks that the GPA are an excellent support.

“(The GPA) are crucial to it. It’s about looking after the welfare of players off the field.

“It’s crucial that people outside of the sport, supporters specifically, that they’re aware that players’ lives are on hold to play hurling and football. They’re not there to be put up on pedestals, to be criticised or abused. They go out there to wear the jersey with pride and passion and do everything for the cause without having to be criticised.”

And Collins’ own inter-county career? At the age of 32, he’s enjoying his hurling and sees no end in sight.

“And as long as injuries stay away and the management want me then I’ll stay going as long as I can.”

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