Newmarket pays tribute to Neilus Collins
NEWMARKET lost one of its most widely known and respected figures on the death earlier this week of Nelius Collins.
One of the club’s finest players and when he retired from the game, he took a number of administration duties on serving as a club officer. A proud GAA man to his fingertips, he was a member of the Cork GAA Board representing Newmarket up to his passing and was highly regarded by fellow delegates as a man of honour and integrity.
At sixteen years, Nelius figured on the 1965 Newmarket junior football side, a dream debut on helping side win the Duhallow championship by a point over Cullen at Millstreet only to come up short to Na Piarsaigh in the county championship.
Newmarket historian Andy O’Connor spoke of Nelius as one of the most talented footballers ever to come out of the division.
“In 1966, he figured on the Cork minor football team, winning a Munster medal, the side lost to Mayo in the All Ireland semi-final a game televised live by RTÉ.
“One remembers the young man in the number 7 shirt playing with great determination which was the hall mark of Nelius’ career,” he said.
Captaining Newmarket to win the 1968/69 Duhallow JAFC, Nelius and Newmarket added the Examiner Cup, Under 21 football title (1969) and Under 21 hurling (1967).
“Recalled is the championship trophy resting in the family bar at Scarteen Street. In 1970 Newmarket won their third successive junior football title and this great side clinched a county championship in Macroom with Nelius gracing the number 8 shirt in partnership with team captain Billy Daly,” said Andy.
“Adrigole were defeated in a thriller with Nelius giving a outstanding display, his brother Jack played at right half back and their cousin Con (Corney) playing at left half back. That historic victory took the club into the intermediate grade for the first time, though they played many fine games, further success eluded them,” he said.
At inter-county level, Nelius gained selection on the county Under 21 and junior teams also captaining the Duhallow senior footballers. A dual player, he enjoyed great days with Newmarket hurlers winning three divisional JAHC, five league titles and Under 21 medal.
“In a Duhallow JAHC game against Kanturk in 1974, Nelius scored five goals. And in a replay against Meelin in the 1976 Duhallow semi-final, he scored a last minute goal to beat our great rivals,” said Andy.
Nelius returned to the club in late 1980s and in the 1989/1991 period he served as joint treasurer and junior hurling selector before representing the club at county board.
“Talking to former and present club officers in addition to players, all are fulsome in their praise for this wonderful man, who truly served Newmarket so well for so long,” said Andy.
A player of huge determination who never shirked a challenge is typified by a story surrounding Newmarket’s county final in 1970. The club were researching their history in the late 1990s, Jimmy Cross and Frank Mulcahy remembered the team meeting the night before the 1970 county final.
“Someone asked who is going to mark Cork senior player Kevin Jer O’Sullivan. Nelius said he is wearing number 8 and I’m wearing number 8, I will mark him. And as they say, the rest is history,” related Andy.
Funeral arrangements sees reception into St. Mary’s Church, Newmarket on this Thursday at 12 noon for 1pm Requiem Mass. Funeral afterwards to Clonfert Cemetery.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.