Ray Cummins

Ray Cummins (born 9 November 1948 in Ballinlough, Cork) is a retired Irish sportsperson. A dual player at the highest levels, he played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1969 until 1982. Cummins also played Gaelic football with his local club St. Michael's and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1968 until 1978. Cummins is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of all-time.

Cummins' status as one of the all-time hurling greats is self-evident. In a senior inter-county career that lasted for thirteen years he won four All-Ireland titles, nine Munster titles, three National Hurling League titles and three Railway Cup titles with Munster.

As a Gaelic footballer Cummins also enjoyed the ultimate in success. In a senior inter-county football career that lasted for ten years Cummins won one All-Ireland title, three Munster titles and one Railway Cup title with Munster.

A very tall, slim player, generally towering over his opponents, Cummins used his physical attributes to telling effect by punching many fine points in football and 'catching high' and delivering many winning scores in hurling. As a hurler Cummins is credited with redefining and revolutionising the full-forward position throughout the 1970s. As a tall, non confrontational player Cummins was, at first, seen as the antithesis of what a full-forward should. He did, however, use the skills and space that were available to him and, in time, he became a deadly marksman in front of goal. In 2000 Cummins's contribution to the game of hurling were recognised when he was named in the full-forward position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium.