‘Most of us would probably get a good Leaving Cert but

WATCHING Anna and Kate Collins in action last week in the ladies football Munster Colleges ‘A’ SFC final for Mercy Mounthawk against Skibbereen CS, it was crystal clear that the Ballymacelligott sisters have ability, coupled with an abundance of fighting spirit.

Brother Niall is blessed with the same attributes, and as the 18-year-old fine-tunes his buildup for Saturday’s Hogan Cup decider against Omagh CBS at Croke Park, he is thankful to have grown up in a house that simply adores the sport.

“They (the girls) are (able to bully me), 100 per cent!,” he laughed. “Growing up, I’m sure you can tell, it’s football, football, football. Every single day out the front, it’s just constant football. My mum loves it, my dad loves it, it’s just our house, it’s nearly like a religion in there.

“Myself, and the two girls, and I’ve a brother as well, younger than us, we have two v twos, and they’re great matches. They would prepare you for any boys’ game. Those girls, they don’t hold back, so I can see where they get it from alright, it’s great.”

In his short, but progressive, gaelic football career, Collins has worn the Kerry minor jersey, and was part of the side that lost the 2022 All-Ireland semi-final to Mayo. He also suffered eventual heartache in his first year at senior club level, with Ballymac beaten in the county junior premier decider.

“At that time, it was very tough, because the week before we had come through a very tough test in Tyrone, and we got confidence off that. Then again, on the day against Mayo, from a personal level, I wasn’t happy at all with the performance and, as a team, I don’t think we were happy either,” he added.

“At that age, losing like that, it hardens you, it toughens you up, and it matures you quicker. We got great experience off it alright. Then last year with the school, the way we went out three times and lost three times to The Sem, it hurt the lot of us really. It kicked us on this year, because we didn’t want to feel like that again.”

Parts of the jigsaw puzzle had been pieced together for a while in Mercy Mounthawk. It was just about taking the next step, getting over the line, and putting silverware in the trophy cabinet. Wing-forward Collins believes great credit is due to the management team.

“This has been building, this isn’t a freak. A lot of people think Mounthawk are just here, but we’ve been coming for a few years. Every single player from the last few years wants us to do well. They’ve been congratulating us, and wishing us well. It’s