Cork – Denise Collins

I come from Knocknagree on the Cork/Kerry border and I’m from a family of seven, four of whom support Cork and three support Kerry. Most Munster finals in my house are very entertaining. My mother Margaret is a nurse in Millstreet and my father Pat has an architectural office in Killarney. I’m 26 and have three sisters and one brother. I attended Hollymount Primary School on the Cork side of the border and Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, on the Kerry side of the border. After studying Agricultural Science, Biology, Physics and Maths in the University of Limerick from 2008-2012 I completed a postgraduate diploma in Maths in the University of Limerick from 20142015. I have taught Science and Maths in Davis College, Mallow for the past four years. I’ve a keen interest in everything agricultural and I have recently been added to my parents herd number. I’m captain of my local football team Knocknagree Ladies this year. As a child, I was the only girl on the underage Knocknagree football team and was also successful for Gneeveguilla Athletics Club, winning many county and Munster titles and one All-Ireland for sprinting. I also trained as a lifeguard at 15 and spent my summers as a lifeguard in Killarney for six years! I’m involved in the Kenya Education Project and recently volunteered for three weeks in Brother Beausang School near Nairobi, Kenya. I love to travel and have spent periods of time in various parts of Europe, America, South-East Asia and in the United Arab Emirates.