In 2005 Galway defeated both Tipperary and Kilkenny in the All-Ireland series to qualify for an All-Ireland final showdown with Cork. It was the first meeting of Cork and Galway in an All-Ireland final since 1990 and even more daunting was the fact that men from the west had never beaten Cork in a championship decider. Neither side broke away into a considerable lead, however, at the final whistle Cork were ahead by 1–21 to 1–16. In spite of this defeat Collins ended the year as the Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year.