[2] Another brother, Ray Cummins, is regarded as one of the all-time greats of the game and captained the Cork senior team to the All-Ireland title in 1976.
[3][4] Cummins first played as a schoolboy in various juvenile competitions at Ballinlough National School before later lining out as a dual player at Coláiste Chríost Rí.
He was part of the school's senior teams in both codes and captured a Harty Cup-Corn Uí Mhuirí double in 1968 before later winning the Hogan Cup.
[5] Cummins began his juvenile and underage career as a hurler with Blackrock while also played Gaelic football with sister club St. Michael's.
By 1968, Cummins had joined both clubs' top adult teams and was part of the St. Michael's side that won the Cork IFC title a year later.
[14] Cummins earned a call-up to the Cork senior hurling team during their successful 1971-72 National League campaign.