Ray Cummins celebrated his 78th birthday and remains a true Leeside Legend

Any scribe in Cork would be honoured to put ink to paper about the many Leeside Legends that represented this county in both hurling and football, and this week the aptly named 'Prince of hurling' Ray Cummins celebrated his 78th birthday.

One of the most gifted players of all time in GAA, the Blackrock star brought a new dimension and dynamism to forward play in both codes.

Always modest and unassuming, Ray was a great favourite with supporters everywhere because of his unrivalled skill and his record as a sportsman during a glittering career.

Cummins was born in November 1948 and was reared in Ballinlough as his late father Billy was also a prolific player with the Cork minor hurling teams of 1938 and 1939. Billy lined out with Christy Ring in the 1938 team, so it is little wonder that Ray followed in his father’s footsteps.

Ray failed to achieve any major honours with his school, Coláiste Chríost Rí, but at club level became one of the most feared forwards in the game. In 1970, Cummins won his first senior All-Ireland hurling medal but more were to follow as he had the ability and was comfortable with a big or small ball.

In 1973, it was the turn of the big ball as he helped Cork land Sam Maguire and he was an integral part of the hurling team that completed the elusive treble in 1976-78, which brought his senior All-Ireland medal tally to five.

He was equally busy on the club scene with Blackrock as they won the Cork hurling championship in 1971, ’73, ’75, ’78 and ’79. Cummins was also part of the UCC team in 1970.

On top of this incredible record, he helped Blackrock to All-Ireland club success in 1971, ’73 and ’78. This remarkable record shows the class of the man.

Ray Cummins genius and artistry was recognised when he won hurling and football All-Stars in 1971 and 1972. He collected another football All-Star in 1973 and his last hurling All-Star came in 1977.

Respect

Ray has the honour to line out with some outstanding players but in his own words, he always respected the players who gave 100% and played the game in a fair and sporting manner.

Derry Cremin and Joe McGrath were the two men named by Ray as the most influential men in his career. Playing the game fairly as well as the friendships he made during his career were more important than winning medals for the big Blackrock man.

Cummins said: “ I enjoyed the camaraderie between players and the spirit that was built up whether you won or lost.

“To me the most important thing was the friendships but while I was out in the field I always tried hard to win."

Looking back at the great opponents he faced, he felt respect was crucial.

“I look back with most satisfaction on the players I played directly against and in Limerick’s Pat Hartigan we had some great battles on the field, but we always shook hands at the final whistle."

The Rockies man looked back on winning the All-Ireland football title in 1973 as the highlight of his career.

“There is a tremendously loyal Cork football following in Cork and it was only when we brought the trophy to different places that we could appreciate what it meant to those people.” 

The standard of football worries Cummins and he had some advice to the people who coach the youth of today.

“I think there is over-emphasis on the physical side of the game and I would like to see more coaching given to quick and accurate kicking as I am sure it would be more fruitful for all concerned.” 

Cummins retired from hurling and football in 1982 and resides in Kinsale with his wife Bernadette.

In 2016, he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award and in typical fashion he played it down.

“It’s unusual, very welcome. Any recognition from your peers is great.

I am not too big into individual awards in team sports. When last did a corner-back get a Man of the Match award?

It’s a team effort, and the team depends on everybody functioning to the maximum.” 

There is little doubt Ray Cummins will rank among the all-time greats of Gaelic games. In hurling, he is credited with giving the game a new fluidity and ushering in the modern era with his mobility at full-forward.

Winner of almost every honour in the game and twice a captain of All-Ireland winning teams, he will never be forgotten by his legion of Cork fans who simply loved his style and sheer class.