Enda Colleran was born in Moylough, County Galway in 1942. He was educated at his local national school before later attending St. Jarlath's College in Tuam. It was here that Colleran first played competitive football, and became a member of the college's senior team. In 1960 St. Jarlath's captured the Connacht colleges' title, with Colleran playing a role in defence. The Tuam college side subsequently faced St. Finian's of Mullingar in the All-Ireland final. A high-scoring game developed over the course of the sixty minutes. At the final whistle St. Jarlath's were the Hogan Cup champions by 3–10 to 3–7, and Colleran picked up his first winners' medal in an All-Ireland competition.