User:Munsteryouths

Patrick K Collins (born 12 September 1977, Dublin, Ireland) is the current Assistant Head Coach at Greystones RFC in A.I.B League Division 2. His previous role was as Youth Development Coach t with Munster Rugby.  He was appointed to the position in 2006 and worked primarily with the elite age grade players on the Munster Rugby Academy pathway from clubs and schools in Cork and Limerick, Ireland.

Patrick was educated at Plymouth College, Devon, England and graduated from Surrey University, Surrey, England (BSc in Sports Science) and the University of Exeter, Devon, England (Postgraduate Education Diploma). Patrick is a qualified P.E teacher and has been a former Master at St. Edward's School, Oxford, England. Head of Boys Sport at Wells Cathedral School, Somerset, England and Director of Sport/ Rugby at Glenstal Abbey school, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Whilst at Glenstal Patrick delivered the two most successful seasons in the history of the school with notable success in both the Senior and Junior Munster Schools Cups and success in the Gold Coast Rugby Festival in Australia.

As a player he played club rugby in England with Plymouth Albion and Exeter Chiefs (both in National Division 1) before signing with London Irish in 1999 until a serious knee injury damaging both his cruciate and medial ligaments and shattering his patella (knee-cap) ended his playing career.

He entered coaching as a result of his injury and soon found success with various school boy and county age group teams. Patrick was appointed as Backs Coach to the Irish Exiles and coached many players who have progressed to full international honors. With the Irish Exiles, based in London, Patrick became Head Coach of the U18's and coached them to successful 'inter-pro' performances against the home provinces in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

On return to Ireland Patrick took up his role with the Munster Rugby Branch and was Head Coach of the Munster Youths during the 2006-2007 season. At this time Patrick worked with the IRFU High Performance Unit and assisted coaching on clinics with age grade players. He also worked with the IRFU as a talent scout identifying future potential Irish players.

Patrick Collins is currently the Senior Backs Coach at Greystones RFC who play in the Division 2 of the AIL.