NOT STARTING THE All-Ireland semi-final as Cork captain was difficult for Linda Collins, but she reacted in the best possible way.
The Courcey Rovers ace arrived off the bench to fire over the winning score against Kilkenny, leading the Rebels into their first decider since 2018.
Despite being listed to start in the semi-final programme, Collins handled the news well.
“They were discussing it,” she explains, “but I don’t think they knew the team until the Saturday because they rang me then to tell me.
“You want to play every game you can but I’ll take whatever role. If they want me to do a similar role, or if they want me to start. All I can know is that I can perform on the pitch.
“I’ll train hard and I’ll work hard and I’ll do whatever it takes to get into the starting 15. If I don’t, that’s just the way it is and I can’t change it.”
“For me that week was tough,” Collins says of the build-up to the game.
“I never showed it at training. I trained hard and I worked hard. I think the girls seeing my attitude to that, they all drove on as well.
“It’s great that they were able to do it. Some people would think they were the captain and so they were entitled to a position. Nobody should really be entitled to a position. It should be the person who is working the hardest, or who is going to slot into the team and the game plan that we’re going to do.
“It was tough initially but then I was able to enjoy the build-up and the training. I wasn’t nervous because there was nothing I could do anyway. So I dealt with the negative thoughts and just enjoyed training.”
Collins was the sole sub used by manager Paudie Murray, but her impact was decisive. She was introduced on 50 minutes, shaking off the disappointment of not starting by hitting the winner in a dramatic finale.
“I actually didn’t realise the time or the score or anything,” she recalls. “When that happened I was just delighted. I looked up at the scoreboard and was like, ‘Oh my God there’s only one minute left.’
“Once I knew what was left I felt it was the longest minute of camogie that I’ve ever played. The ball was up and down and there were turnovers like there’s no tomorrow.
“When it went over it was such a relief. Then for Saoirse (McCarthy) to get a turnover at the other end and bring it back up it was brilliant.
“So many people said that to me afterwards – ‘justice’ or whatever. That wasn’t even in my head. I was in Croke Park that day to try and win a match and make an impact.
“What was in my head running out onto the field was that any ball I get I’m going to do the best that I can with it, and I’m going to use it, I’m going to retain it, and try to make the right decision on it.
“That was what was going through my head. Make space, look for the ball, and make good decisions on the ball.
“I didn’t even realise it was the winning score at the time. It wasn’t until the girls said I got the last point. But it was actually just getting over the semi-final that we were absolutely thrilled with. I’d say the celebrations were a bit over-exaggerated but we were just back to be back in an All-Ireland final.
“And then afterwards girls like Ashling Thompson came up to me and said, ‘Linda, how are you dealing with this so well, not playing?’ She was delighted, she said, ‘You got the winning score.’ I was like, ‘Oh Jesus, did I?’
“I didn’t realise I was the last person to score because Fiona (Keating) had got the leveller and that was a brilliant score after Meghan Farrell came across to deny us the goal. So it was all go in the last 10 or 15 minutes.”
As the Galway game looms, she’s happy to do whatever is required for the team.
“You want to play every game you can but I’ll take whatever role. If they want me to do a similar role, or if they want me to start. All I can know is that I can perform on the pitch.
“I’ll train hard and I’ll work hard and I’ll do whatever it takes to get into the starting 15. If I don’t, that’s just the way it is and I can’t change it.”
She had the experience of starting the 2018 All-Ireland final victory and was a squad member for the 2017 and 2015 decider wins.
Collins was named captain after her club lifted the Cork senior camogie crown for the first time in their history. Courcey Rovers nominated Collins, who scored 1-5 in the county final, for the captaincy.
“Initially I was worrying that I would have to be like Gemma O’Connor or Aoife Murray. But I decided I’d create my own style here. There are times when I speak, there are times when I don’t.
“There are times when I perform – I’m just like anybody else. My main thing this year was getting the younger ones in and getting them comfortable, and being able to talk to me and ask me questions, and create a bit of a bond between the girls.”
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Great news. Now Robbie can move back to Connacht to partner up with Bundee again!
I wonder with this signing are Leinster going to free up Frawley to get some game time at fly half next season?
Classy player and it will be a great signing with Frawley now in the wider Irish squad.
But Leinster need players who will start in the big K/O games becuase that’s where the current crop are just falling short.
Our pack is incredible but lacking serious niggle. I’d like to see Leinster sign a forward who’s mean or enjoys winning ugly.
@Billy Keenan: I’m thinking that’s what Jenkins had been signed for – although he hasn’t exactly been overwhelming for Munster
@Kevin Ryan: He’s been injured most of the season so it’s hard to judge his real worth. Certainly has the physique. With a full preseason & 100% fitness we may see his true worth.
@TL55: What have you made of Jenkins in the games he has actually been fit for? General feeling I am getting from Munster fans is that he’s been pretty poor in those sporadic appearances?
Even as a Leinster fan, this is kinda baffling. But I trust the coaches know what they’re doing.
Leinster sign another Kiwi, that’s makes it 3 kiwis, 1 Samoan and 1 Saffer signed up for next season.
@Patrick O Connell: 3 Kiwis’? Two are Irish eligible. Significantly less players from outside the province than Munster, Connacht and Ulster..
@Patrick O Connell: so I’m assuming your counting JGP and Lowe as Kiwis when they are Irish internationals. The other Kiwi is Ngatai who will be used as cover when Henshaw and Ringrose will be at the World Cup. The Samoan is Ala’latoa covering for Porter and Furlong and the Saffa is Jason Jenkins who will offer second row cover for James Ryan/Ryan Baird and compensate for the loss of Toner and Dunne. Just though I’d break that down for ya.
@Simon Kerins: Munster only have 2 non Irish qualified players signed for next season, not too sure about Ulster and Connacht.
@David Lawlor: Lowe and JGP are kiwis. It was the same last season when Munster signed Jenkins, there was uproar on here by rival fans that Munster signed another Saffer even though he was replacing CJ..
@Patrick O Connell: your ability to count must really be a source of pride for you parents. Imagine in a year or two when you can multiple they will be so happy. .
@Patrick O Connell: good man Patrick hope ye have a great season again next year
@Patrick O Connell: CJ is an 8. Jenkins is a lock. He wasn’t a replacement for him. He was signed before Synman got injured as well. Other fans took issue with Munster being able to sign 4 foreign qualified players rather than the 3 that was supposed to be the limit. Especially having two players in one position blocking a pathway for an Irish qualified player to get game time. People took issue with it not because they are bitter about munster but because they want what’s best for the national team.
@Patrick O Connell: Michael Alaalatoa was born in Sydney, Australia. At least get your facts right haha
@Patrick O Connell: now name all the foreigners in the Munster squad.
@Patrick O Connell: No, they’re Irish. Otherwise capping them was a massive mistake. The only reason their signings would have been allowed is because they were able to be naturalised within three years. When Munster brought DeAllende and Snyman they were not qualified and creaming massive wages too as WC winners. Its one thing to bring these guys in and another altogether to get value from them. Your argument is weak to say the least.
@Harry O’Callaghan: well Harry, he plays for Somoa, he was born in Sydney.
@Patrick Waldron Healy: Jenkins, RG, and DDA, who is the fourth foreign player???
@Chris Mc: have ye more than 3 kiwis, 1 Somoan and 1 Saffer in the squad for next season???
@Chris Mc: Uses his fingers and toes. Any number over 20 and he’s lost.
@Patrick O Connell: you called him a somoan because he plays from somoa but he’s born in Australia, yet you call Lowe and Gibson Park kiwis but they play for Ireland. Maybe get an adult to explain to you where your logic is flawed.
@Chris Mc: he qualified via his parents to play for Somoa and considers himself Somoan. JGP and Lowe have no Irish connection and only qualified on residency rules. There is a huge difference there
@Patrick O Connell: but he was born and raised in Australia haha
@Patrick O Connell: RG Snyman, Jean Kleyn, Jason Jenkins, Damian De Allende, Declan Moore, Mike Haley, Chris Cloete, Matt Gallagher, Kenyan knox, Roman Salanoa all look pretty foreigner to me. Tadhg Beirne, Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway, Rowan Osborne all from Leinster. Chris Farrell Ulster.
@Harry O’Callaghan: Add Jeremy Loughman to that list also haha
@all: Gents don’t waste your time even reading what the original poster has to say. Just another in a long line of boring, ill informed and bewildering comments. I genuinely don’t think he even watches any rugby.
@Carmine Lorenzo: so you disagree with me. How many kiwis, staffers and Somoan/Australian players in your squad for next season???
@Patric O Connell: same no as Leinster in 22/23 and there’s three players alone from Kildare playing for Munster and several more from outside the province 12 or 13 this season (Carberry happens to be Kiwi born also) only Gallagher and Cloete leaving it reduces the number of overseas players. I don’t understand why you make that comment when Leinster by virtue of their large playing population are huge contributors to other provinces. I’m from Munster but the constant chippy commentary from people on this forum is not the most constructive.
@Patrick O Connell: At least James Lowe & Gibson-Park are contributing to the Irish squad hugely. The same can’t be said for Snyman, Kleyn, Kenkins, Cloete, De Allende, Haley, Gallagher, Moore, Knox & Salanoa. And neither will Fekitoa & Frisch next season.
@Patrick O Connell: Samoan* Learn how to spell would be your first step.
@Patrick O Connell: Chris Cloete
@Carmine Lorenzo: says the man with the fake name
@Patrick Waldron Healy: Chris Clote is Irish qualified so as the rest of the posters say he is not classified as a foreigner.
@Harry O’Callaghan: I don’t know why ye are all getting excited, Leinster have 3 Kiwis, 1 Saffer and a Somoan, Munster have3 saffers 1 USA and 1 kiwi, not sure about the other provinces. This season proved irish provinces need imports to compete, Leinster included.
@Patrick O Connell: Munster need less imports and more homegrown players.
Delighted with the news. A new experienced perspective is a huge bonus for Leinster
That’s a really astute signing. Would love another loosehead now.
Frawley will be delighted.
Centre is a position we are light after henshaw and ringrose. My only concern is these type of signings don’t always work out for leinster.
@Chris Mc: agree totally , it seems good on paper , he’s a fantastic athlete and hope he makes a name for himself here . Ben teo the most recent oversees centre to be made look pretty average. I’m sure Leo etc know what they’re doing , maybe there will be another signing up front soon .
@Michael Uzice: Zane K, tuquiri, tomane to name a few
@Michael Uzice: Ben te’o was good for when he played for Leinster. He played 51 times and scored 6 tries. Not bad for someone who only played for 2 years.
Oli jager would be a great signing!
Get him back to Ireland
don’t get this i won’t lie. With both byrnes renewing there contracts i can’t see Frawley playing 10 due to having 4 senior out halves then that’s a lot of minutes to juggle. However this is going to block an irish player in frawley no? Like he will get caps on this tour and then not bench Europe next year? Seems odd to me can’t lie. Like he’s a quality player sure but doesn’t actually help leinsters starting team at all
@Dara: frawley while delighted for him to be in the Irish set up will go back to preseason at leinster with Ross Byrne working all summer with the leinster coaches and this lad along with osbourne playing 12 and 13 and frawley could be squeezed out.
Saying that farrell might but him in at 10. As joey and Harry are not at the races or maybe should be at the races. It’s either going to be a make or break summer for him.
Seems like another odd centre signing. Does this mean they have given up on the Harry Byrne experiment at Centre. Ngatai won’t even start in big games and his lack of positional flexibility means he probably won’t make the 23 either.
Another all black time to change the club colours
Well do leinster. Not sure he is better then what ye already have
Scored 2 tries in the challenge cup final against toulon. If he is a all black international he must be a great player. Look forward to seeing his experience with the team