GAA club pays tribute to former player (66) who died in west Cork accident
Sean Ryan
A GAA Club has paid a heartfelt tribute to a former player and mentor who was killed in a road accident in County Cork on Monday.
Bernard Collins (66) from Shepperton, Castlehaven, passed away in a single-vehicle collision on the road between Leap and Drinagh at approximately 11am on Monday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, and gardaí are still appealing for witnesses to the incident.
Locals said Bernard was involved in farming and had battled illness for a number of years. He was a dedicated supporter of the Castlehaven GAA club, who paid tribute to him on social media.
A club spokesperson praised his "massive contribution" to the group over the years, both as a talented player on the pitch and his work as a mentor when he retired from the sport.
They added that "he was at the standard of many intercounty footballers" in his prime, and that there was a "great sadness over the parish" when news broke of his passing.
They said: "Bernard's great passions in life were his family, football, and farming. Bernard was a member of the great footballing dynasty from Shepperton, The Collins Family.
"One word often used to describe Bernard as a footballer was 'class'.
"He made a massive contribution to the phoenix-like rise of the Castlehaven club in the 1970s, from Junior 1 to the Senior grade in less than a decade.
"He was a very skilful and balanced footballer and he could play in any position on the field and excel.
"Mr Collins played full forward in the famous victory in the 1973 West Cork final but is best remembered as a centreback for the club, which is where he played a starring role in the Junior '76 and Intermediate '78 country winning teams."
Mr Collins is survived by his wife Fiona and children Daniel, Richard, Emma and Kevin.
His remains will repose in Shanahans Funeral Home, Leap on Thursday from 5pm to 7pm followed by prayers.
His funeral cortége will arrive at St Barrahanes Church, Castlehaven at 11am on Friday followed by Requiem Mass at 12noon which will be live-streamed on the Funeral Service. Burial will be immediately afterwards in Castlehaven New cemetery.
Bernard's family say they want to extend their "everlasting gratitude" to his G.P. Dr. Joan Lynch, the Nua Clinic, Bantry, and to Professor Derek Power and his team at the Cork University Hospital.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 10.30am and 11.30am this morning, are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Clonakilty Garda Station on 023 882 1570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."
