Collins was born and raised in Ballinhassig, County Cork. His father, Pat Collins, began the family's association with goalkeeping by lining in that position for the Ballinhassig club.[1] Collins's brothers, Michael, Matthew and Ger, have all lined out for Cork in various grades of hurling, while his sister, Caitríona, won an All-Ireland ICC title with the Cork intermediate camogie team in 2018.[2][3]
Collins began his club hurling career at juvenile and underage levels with Ballinhassig. He won a Southeast U21AHC title in 2015 after scoring 1-07 from full-forward in the 2-16 to 2-12 defeat of Carrigaline in the final.[7] By that stage Collins had already joined Ballinhassig's senior team, having made his debut in 2013.[8]
Inter-county career
Collins was just 15-years-old when he first played for Cork as a member of the minor team in 2012.[9][10] His three years in the grade ended without success. Collins was 16-years-old and in his second season as a minor when he made his debut with the under-21 team.[11] He was in goal when Cork lost the 2014 Munster U21 final to Clare by 1-28 to 1-13.[12] Collin's five-year association with the under-21 team ended with a two-point defeat by Limerick in the 2017 Munster U21 final.[13]
Collins eventually became second-choice goalkeeper and understudy to Nash. He won consecutive Munster SHC medals as a non-playing substitute in 2017 and 2018, following consecutive defeats of Clare in the finals.[16][17] Nash's inter-county retirement at the end of the 2020 season resulted in Collins becoming first-choice goalkeeper.[18] In August 2021, he lined out in goal when Cork suffered a 3–32 to 1–22 defeat by Limerick in the 2021 All-Ireland final.[19] Collins was again in goal when Cork lost the 2022 National League final to Waterford.[20]