After progressing through the juvenile ranks with Blackrock, Cummins was just seventeen-years-old when he experienced his first major success by winning a county minor championship medal in 1966. His subsequent enrolment at University College Cork made him eligible to play championship hurling and football for the college. Cummins was a member of a star-studded team that represented the college in both county finals in 1969. While the students faced defeat at the hands of Glen Rovers in the hurling final, Cummins won a county football championship medal as UCC defeated St. Nicholas' by 0-9 to 0-8.