Watkins first played hurling to a high standard as a student at Roscrea Community College.
[1] After progressing through the juvenile and underage ranks with Shinrone GAA club Watkins won an Offaly SHC medal after a defeat of Kilcormac–Killoughey in the 2022 final.
[2] Watkins first appeared on the inter-county scene during a spell with the Offaly minor hurling team, which culminated with a defeat by Kilkenny in the 2020 Leinster minor final.
[3] He immediately progressed to the under-20 team and was at wing-back when they lost the 2023 All-Ireland under-20 final to Cork.
[4] Watkins made his senior team debut in a defeat by Cork in the 2024 National Hurling League.