Roddy Collins
Encyclopedia
Roderick 'Roddy' Collins (born 7 August 1961 in Dublin), is a Irish
former professional football
player and current manager of Monaghan United. He has also worked as a television pundit, and is the brother of acclaimed former boxer, Steve Collins
.
making his debut in September 1979 away to Finn Harps and made 2 appearances in European competition for the club before suffering a serious leg injury which sidelined him for two years before going on to play for Home Farm F.C.
, Athlone Town, Drogheda United
and Dundalk
from where he joined Mansfield Town
in December 1985 for a club record fee of £30,000. He left to join Newport County
in August 1987, playing seven times in an injury plagued season, their ill-fated 1987-88 season which would see them lose their place in the Football League amid a growing financial crisis. Collins then went on to play once for Cheltenham Town
.
Collins scored for Athlone Town A.F.C.
in the 1983–84 European Cup http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1983/0915/Pg003.html.
Noel King
signed him then for Shamrock Rovers
in September 1988 and he made a scoring debut against his first club on 30 September in a 3-1 derby win. He also scored in his last game for the club at Cork City on 21 April 1989. Despite being sent off in Derry on Halloween he was top scorer in that 1988-89 season.
He subsequently played for Dundalk again, Sligo Rovers, Crusaders
, Glentoran
, Bangor
, Cliftonville
, Larne
and Home Farm F.C.
. He made one Leinster Senior Cup (association football) appearance for Bohs in December 1995. His last club was St Francis where he played in their first ever game in senior football in a League of Ireland Shield
game in September 1996.
Collins' first foray into management came at Bangor
in 1994/95 which despite saving them from relegation, was relatively brief. In 1998 He found himself thrust into the spotlight when he was surprisingly appointed as Joe McGrath's successor at Bohemians
.
During the close-season Collins oversaw a massive change in personnel at the club, with old stalwarts such as Brian Mooney
, Tommy Byrne and Peter Hanrahan
being released, and new signings such as Glen Crowe
, Mark Dempsey
, Wayne Russell
and Avery John
coming in. Bohemians started the season brightly, and it was evident that this side would not be fighting relegation. Bohemians eventually finished 3rd in the league, and were beaten in a replay of the final of the FAI Cup
by Shelbourne FC.
The following season, 2000–01, was to become one of the most remarkable, and controversial, in the history of Bohemians. Collins again brought in several new players during the summer break, with Simon Webb
, Dave Hill
among others joining record signing Trevor Molloy
at the club.
Bohemians' opening game was an away tie in the UEFA Cup
against Aberdeen FC, which was to be the first time that the club had fielded a starting eleven consisting entirely of full-time professional players. Despite being written off by the local press, Bohs produced one of the all-time great Irish performances in Europe to come from a goal down to defeat the Scots by two goals to one. Bohemians were reduced to 10 men after 45 minutes and were beaten 1–0 in the return leg, due to an own-goal, but progressed on the away goals rule and faced German giants Kaiserslautern
in the next round http://www.rte.ie/sport/2000/0904/soccer8.html.
Despite putting in an impressive display, Bohemians who were again reduced to 10 men on the 43rd minute were beaten 3–1 in Tolka Park
in the first leg, and suffered from some careless defensive lapses and a controversial red card. In Germany, Bohemians shocked the hosts by winning 1–0 thanks to a goal from Glen Crowe
, and were unlucky not to score more (even having a goal ruled out for off-side). Bohemians were out of Europe, and had made history by achieving successive away victories in European competition.
In the league that season Bohs were showing good form, though with Glen Crowe
emerging as a phenomenal goal-scorer and Kevin Hunt marshalling the midfield. Once out of Europe, results began to dip, and Collins found himself under pressure. Shelbourne were clear leaders at the top, and a huge investment in the Bohemians playing side looked set to fail to reap just rewards. In January 2001, Collins was under huge pressure as Bohemians travelled to Santry to take on fierce rivals Shamrock Rovers. At half time, Bohemians were trailing the game by 3 goals, as Rovers scored 4 to Bohs 1. It looked certain that a new manager would be appointed following the game. However, in one of the most remarkable come-backs in Irish football, Bohemians put 5 past a shell-shocked Rovers side in the second half and won 6–4. That result, coupled with a break for several weeks due to the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK and Ireland, gave Bohemians the momentum to mount a late challenge for the league.
Bohemians went into the last game of the season trailing Shelbourne by one point, as the Gypsies travelled to Kilkenny on the final day. Meanwhile, Shelbourne were hosting Cork City in a game which the hosts were expected to win comfortably. To win the league, Bohemians needed to win and hope that Cork could achieve at least a draw in Tolka. Bohemians won 5–0, while Cork shocked Shelbourne by defeating them on their home patch. Bohemians were crowned champions, and the aftermath of the result would shape the rest of Roddy Collins career.
would be taking over the reins at Bohemians. This ended Collins' association with the club.
To the present day Roddy Collins' name is sure to spark intense debate amongst the Bohemians faithful, with some fans opposing and supporting the former manager. He managed the club for 96 league games - winning 46, drawing 23 and losing 27. They scored 136 times, conceded 81 and kept 41 clean sheets.
in July 2001 signing a five year contract. A club that was under financial embargo with only 8 senior professional players and bookies favourites for relegation , was 14th in the league by April their highest position in 5 seasons. , Collins was sacked in April 2002 after stating that he would resign unless owner Michael Knighton
completed the sale of the club as promised to the investorJohn Courtenay.
Courtenay finally took control of the club in July 2002 and instantly reappointed Collins as manager. Due to the long drawn out completion of the sale Collins worked with a weakened squad but yet again he retained their League status and took them to Cardiffs Millenium Stadium for the LDV Cup Final.
Collins was sacked in August 2003 after Carlisle board found him guilty of taking bribes and bungs at the expense of fans and players.
, but left in November 2004 three weeks from the end of the season, just hours before a crucial game, to manage Shamrock Rovers
.
licensing committee, after a season of poor results and in-fighting at the club, Shamrock Rovers faced relegation.. Collins later brought a claim of unfair dismissal against Shamrock Rovers to the Employment Appeals Tribunal in Dublin, the case was settled out of court in November 2006.
, in their weekly league review television show, Monday Night Soccer
.
Collins was named as the man heading an Irish consortium to purchase SPL club Gretna on 15 March 2008 following the clubs financial crisis and possible closure. A week later (21 March 2008) Collins and his consortium were also in talks to take over at cash strapped Rotherham United, a football club in Football League Two
.
After his phenomenal success at Bohemians, Collins' management career has since failed to provide any achievements worthy of comparison. Opinion of him is divided, many fans believing him to have been a lucky manager at Bohemians, while many believe him to be a victim of circumstance following his departure from Dalymount Park,
in Dublin, Collins stated his delight at returning to the dugout and the large media presence was unheard of for a Maltese club. Floriana's Development Officer, Mr. Alan Moore, thanked everyone for being present on such a great occasion for the club and this was echoed
However an even greater unveiling took place in Floriana
itself the very next day. After meeting his players for the first time Roddy was part of Maltese football history. Never before had such an event taken place on the islands where a manager was introduced to the fans. Introduced by Tony Zahra he spoke alongside new President John Camillieri, John Borg and Alan Moore, receiving massive applause for pledging himself to making Floriana F.C. a force to be reckoned with. The fans appreciated his honesty and applauded in agreement when he told them that "we are embarking on a long term project, all of us will stand together and make this club greater still!"
Having worked as a pundit for Radio Telefís Éireann
, Newstalk Radio and the The Star on Sunday Collins began pre-season with Floriana F.C. on 2 July 2009. The club are also known as "The Irish" and footballing partners of, his former club, Shamrock Rovers and Russian side FC Volga Ulyanovsk
. Collins had a very shaky start to his time in Floriana winning only 1 pre-season game and none of his first 3 competitive games including a humiliating 6-0 loss to eternal rivals Valletta F.C.. However just before he left the club he had guided the team to 7 unbeaten games.
to take charge of Cork City, where it was announced that he had signed a 12 month contract on December 23, 2009.
Collins spoke of his delight at the appointment and said that it was a job he had wanted "for many years". In February 2010 the holding company Cork City Investments Fc Ltd. was wound up and he was not reappointed. He didn't manage a single competitive game with City.
His son, also Roddy, made his debut in the EA Sports Cup http://monaghanunited.tv/?p=1081.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
former professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player and current manager of Monaghan United. He has also worked as a television pundit, and is the brother of acclaimed former boxer, Steve Collins
Steve Collins
Stephen Collins, more commonly known as Steve Collins, is a former professional boxer. Known as the "The Celtic Warrior", Collins is the former WBO middleweight and super middleweight champion....
.
Early career
Roddy Collins began his career at local club BohemiansBohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
making his debut in September 1979 away to Finn Harps and made 2 appearances in European competition for the club before suffering a serious leg injury which sidelined him for two years before going on to play for Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm Football Club is an Irish football club based in Whitehall, Dublin. Originally founded in 1928, the club joined the League of Ireland in 1972 after merging with Drumcondra. Following this merger they were briefly known as Home Farm Drumcondra...
, Athlone Town, Drogheda United
Drogheda United
Drogheda United Football Club is an Irish football club currently playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club hails from Drogheda, Ireland and, since 1979, plays its home matches at Hunky Dorys Park....
and Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
from where he joined Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in December 1985 for a club record fee of £30,000. He left to join Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in August 1987, playing seven times in an injury plagued season, their ill-fated 1987-88 season which would see them lose their place in the Football League amid a growing financial crisis. Collins then went on to play once for Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
.
Collins scored for Athlone Town A.F.C.
Athlone Town A.F.C.
Athlone Town F.C. is an Irish football club from Athlone, playing in the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1887. First elected to the League of Ireland in 1922, they play their home matches in Lissywoollen their new stadium which opened in 2007...
in the 1983–84 European Cup http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1983/0915/Pg003.html.
Noel King
Noel King
Noel King is a former footballer and currently is the Republic of Ireland Under 21 manager having being appointed on 19 July 2010.-Playing career:...
signed him then for Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
in September 1988 and he made a scoring debut against his first club on 30 September in a 3-1 derby win. He also scored in his last game for the club at Cork City on 21 April 1989. Despite being sent off in Derry on Halloween he was top scorer in that 1988-89 season.
He subsequently played for Dundalk again, Sligo Rovers, Crusaders
Crusaders F.C.
Crusaders Football Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish association football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1898, hails from Belfast and plays its home matches at Seaview. Club colours are red and black. The current manager is Stephen Baxter, appointed in 2005...
, Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
, Bangor
Bangor F.C.
Bangor Football Club is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1918, hails from Bangor and plays its home matches at Clandeboye Park. Club colours are gold and royal blue...
, Cliftonville
Cliftonville
Cliftonville is a coastal area of the town of Margate, situated to the east of the main town, in the Thanet district of Kent, South East England, United Kingdom. It also contains the area known as Palm Bay....
, Larne
Larne F.C.
Larne F.C. is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Larne and plays its home matches at Inver Park. Club colours are red and white...
and Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm Football Club is an Irish football club based in Whitehall, Dublin. Originally founded in 1928, the club joined the League of Ireland in 1972 after merging with Drumcondra. Following this merger they were briefly known as Home Farm Drumcondra...
. He made one Leinster Senior Cup (association football) appearance for Bohs in December 1995. His last club was St Francis where he played in their first ever game in senior football in a League of Ireland Shield
League of Ireland Shield
The League of Ireland Shield is a defunct Irish football tournament which was introduced when the League of Ireland started in 1921 and ran uninterrupted until 1972...
game in September 1996.
Collins' first foray into management came at Bangor
Bangor F.C.
Bangor Football Club is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1918, hails from Bangor and plays its home matches at Clandeboye Park. Club colours are gold and royal blue...
in 1994/95 which despite saving them from relegation, was relatively brief. In 1998 He found himself thrust into the spotlight when he was surprisingly appointed as Joe McGrath's successor at Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
.
Bohemians
Bohemians were a side which, despite being tipped as outside contenders for the title at the start of the year, were facing a relegation dogfight when Collins arrived in the 1998–99 season. Collins' start to his reign as Bohs' manager was relatively impressive, and new signings such as Kevin Hunt eventually dragged the side out of relegation trouble and to safety. However, a poor run of results at the end of the season saw the Gypsies, which has never been outside of the top tier of Irish football, plummet back into relegation trouble, and were forced to take part in a play-off with Cobh Ramblers. Bohemians won the play-off convincingly, 7–0 on aggregate. He remained as manager during the close-season, though he was under pressure from both the supporters and the committee at Bohemians.During the close-season Collins oversaw a massive change in personnel at the club, with old stalwarts such as Brian Mooney
Brian Mooney
Brian Mooney, is an Irish former footballer who made his name as a skilful winger in the English football league. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Mooney was spotted in 1983 by Liverpool F.C. playing for Irish schoolboy club Home Farm F.C. where he had won a FAI Youth Cup. He went to school at St. Josephs...
, Tommy Byrne and Peter Hanrahan
Peter Hanrahan
Peter Hanrahan was an Irish soccer player during the 1980s and 1990s.He was a midfielder or forward who played for UCD , Dundalk, Limerick City, Bohemians during his career in the League of Ireland....
being released, and new signings such as Glen Crowe
Glen Crowe
Glen Crowe is an Irish professional football forward who currently plays for Malahide United in the Leinster Senior League....
, Mark Dempsey
Mark Dempsey (footballer)
Mark Anthony Peter Dempsey was an Irish association football player during the 1990s and 2000s. He was a defender or midfielder who appeared for Gillingham, Leyton Orient, Shrewsbury Town, Barry Town, Bohemians , Shelbourne and Drogheda United during his career.-Career:He played his schoolboy...
, Wayne Russell
Wayne Russell
Wayne Russell was a Welsh football player during the 1990s and early 2000s.-Career:Wayne began his career at Welsh side Ebbw Vale before joining Burnley in October 1993. He found it hard to establish himself as regular in the Burnley side, making only 24 league appearances in three years before...
and Avery John
Avery John
Avery John is a Trinidadian soccer player.-Youth and College:John attended Vessigny [Antilles] Government Secondary School and then Presentation College, and played college soccer for Yavapai College in Arizona and American University in Washington, DC...
coming in. Bohemians started the season brightly, and it was evident that this side would not be fighting relegation. Bohemians eventually finished 3rd in the league, and were beaten in a replay of the final of the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
by Shelbourne FC.
The following season, 2000–01, was to become one of the most remarkable, and controversial, in the history of Bohemians. Collins again brought in several new players during the summer break, with Simon Webb
Simon Webb (footballer)
Simon Webb is a retired Irish footballer.A trainee with Tottenham Hotspur from August 1994, Simon went on loan to Leyton Orient in October 1999. He signed for Bohemians from Purfleet in July 2000 where he won two league winning medals and a FAI Cup winners medal...
, Dave Hill
Dave Hill (footballer)
David "Dave" Hill is an English former professional footballer and current manager of Cobh Ramblers....
among others joining record signing Trevor Molloy
Trevor Molloy
Trevor Molloy is a semi-professional, Irish football player who is currently playing for Bluebell United in the Leinster Senior League....
at the club.
Bohemians' opening game was an away tie in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
against Aberdeen FC, which was to be the first time that the club had fielded a starting eleven consisting entirely of full-time professional players. Despite being written off by the local press, Bohs produced one of the all-time great Irish performances in Europe to come from a goal down to defeat the Scots by two goals to one. Bohemians were reduced to 10 men after 45 minutes and were beaten 1–0 in the return leg, due to an own-goal, but progressed on the away goals rule and faced German giants Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern is a city in southwest Germany, located in the Bundesland of Rhineland-Palatinate at the edge of the Palatinate forest . The historic centre dates to the 9th century. It is from Paris, from Frankfurt am Main, and from Luxembourg.Kaiserslautern is home to 99,469 people...
in the next round http://www.rte.ie/sport/2000/0904/soccer8.html.
Despite putting in an impressive display, Bohemians who were again reduced to 10 men on the 43rd minute were beaten 3–1 in Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
in the first leg, and suffered from some careless defensive lapses and a controversial red card. In Germany, Bohemians shocked the hosts by winning 1–0 thanks to a goal from Glen Crowe
Glen Crowe
Glen Crowe is an Irish professional football forward who currently plays for Malahide United in the Leinster Senior League....
, and were unlucky not to score more (even having a goal ruled out for off-side). Bohemians were out of Europe, and had made history by achieving successive away victories in European competition.
In the league that season Bohs were showing good form, though with Glen Crowe
Glen Crowe
Glen Crowe is an Irish professional football forward who currently plays for Malahide United in the Leinster Senior League....
emerging as a phenomenal goal-scorer and Kevin Hunt marshalling the midfield. Once out of Europe, results began to dip, and Collins found himself under pressure. Shelbourne were clear leaders at the top, and a huge investment in the Bohemians playing side looked set to fail to reap just rewards. In January 2001, Collins was under huge pressure as Bohemians travelled to Santry to take on fierce rivals Shamrock Rovers. At half time, Bohemians were trailing the game by 3 goals, as Rovers scored 4 to Bohs 1. It looked certain that a new manager would be appointed following the game. However, in one of the most remarkable come-backs in Irish football, Bohemians put 5 past a shell-shocked Rovers side in the second half and won 6–4. That result, coupled with a break for several weeks due to the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK and Ireland, gave Bohemians the momentum to mount a late challenge for the league.
Bohemians went into the last game of the season trailing Shelbourne by one point, as the Gypsies travelled to Kilkenny on the final day. Meanwhile, Shelbourne were hosting Cork City in a game which the hosts were expected to win comfortably. To win the league, Bohemians needed to win and hope that Cork could achieve at least a draw in Tolka. Bohemians won 5–0, while Cork shocked Shelbourne by defeating them on their home patch. Bohemians were crowned champions, and the aftermath of the result would shape the rest of Roddy Collins career.
Fall out from Bohemians
The following weekend Bohemians beat Longford Town in the FAI Cup Final thus securing their first double in 75 years,a remarkable achievement.The club also recorded a profit for the first time in 20 yrs. After this Collins was supposedly set to discuss a new contract with the Bohemians committee. During this time the club announced that Pete MahonPete Mahon
Pete Mahon , is an Irish football manager who is currently the manager of St. Patrick's Athletic .His son, Alan Mahon , played all his career for UCD....
would be taking over the reins at Bohemians. This ended Collins' association with the club.
To the present day Roddy Collins' name is sure to spark intense debate amongst the Bohemians faithful, with some fans opposing and supporting the former manager. He managed the club for 96 league games - winning 46, drawing 23 and losing 27. They scored 136 times, conceded 81 and kept 41 clean sheets.
Carlisle United
Collins was appointed as manager of Carlisle UnitedCarlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
in July 2001 signing a five year contract. A club that was under financial embargo with only 8 senior professional players and bookies favourites for relegation , was 14th in the league by April their highest position in 5 seasons. , Collins was sacked in April 2002 after stating that he would resign unless owner Michael Knighton
Michael Knighton
Michael Knighton is an English businessman who is best known for his involvement in Manchester United and Carlisle United football clubs.-Early life:...
completed the sale of the club as promised to the investorJohn Courtenay.
Courtenay finally took control of the club in July 2002 and instantly reappointed Collins as manager. Due to the long drawn out completion of the sale Collins worked with a weakened squad but yet again he retained their League status and took them to Cardiffs Millenium Stadium for the LDV Cup Final.
Collins was sacked in August 2003 after Carlisle board found him guilty of taking bribes and bungs at the expense of fans and players.
Dublin City
In July 2004 he took over as manager of Dublin CityDublin City F.C.
Dublin City Football Club was an Irish association football club that played in the League of Ireland. They were formed in 1999 after a split within Home Farm Everton and they originally played as Home Farm Fingal before changing their name for the 2001–02 season...
, but left in November 2004 three weeks from the end of the season, just hours before a crucial game, to manage Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
.
Shamrock Rovers
As manager of Shamrock Rovers, Collins struggled both on and off the pitch. Following a points deduction because the club presented fraudulent documents to the FAIFootball Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
licensing committee, after a season of poor results and in-fighting at the club, Shamrock Rovers faced relegation.. Collins later brought a claim of unfair dismissal against Shamrock Rovers to the Employment Appeals Tribunal in Dublin, the case was settled out of court in November 2006.
Post Rovers
In his weekly column he continues to question the merits of the league while ironically also being retained as a pundit for the national broadcaster for live league games. In March 2008, Collins profile as a soccer pundit was raised higher in Irish football media circles through his weekly appearances on Irish state broadcaster, Radio Telefís ÉireannRTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
, in their weekly league review television show, Monday Night Soccer
Monday Night Soccer
Monday Night Soccer is the RTÉ's main football television programme. It is shown on RTÉ Two on Monday evenings during the Irish football season, showing highlights of the day's matches in Irish football's top division, the League of Ireland Premier Division...
.
Collins was named as the man heading an Irish consortium to purchase SPL club Gretna on 15 March 2008 following the clubs financial crisis and possible closure. A week later (21 March 2008) Collins and his consortium were also in talks to take over at cash strapped Rotherham United, a football club in Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
After his phenomenal success at Bohemians, Collins' management career has since failed to provide any achievements worthy of comparison. Opinion of him is divided, many fans believing him to have been a lucky manager at Bohemians, while many believe him to be a victim of circumstance following his departure from Dalymount Park,
Floriana FC
On 30 June 2009 Roddy Collins was unveiled as the new Manager of Maltese Premier side Floriana F.C.. At the media conference, held in the Embassy of MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
in Dublin, Collins stated his delight at returning to the dugout and the large media presence was unheard of for a Maltese club. Floriana's Development Officer, Mr. Alan Moore, thanked everyone for being present on such a great occasion for the club and this was echoed
However an even greater unveiling took place in Floriana
Floriana
Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
itself the very next day. After meeting his players for the first time Roddy was part of Maltese football history. Never before had such an event taken place on the islands where a manager was introduced to the fans. Introduced by Tony Zahra he spoke alongside new President John Camillieri, John Borg and Alan Moore, receiving massive applause for pledging himself to making Floriana F.C. a force to be reckoned with. The fans appreciated his honesty and applauded in agreement when he told them that "we are embarking on a long term project, all of us will stand together and make this club greater still!"
Having worked as a pundit for Radio Telefís Éireann
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
, Newstalk Radio and the The Star on Sunday Collins began pre-season with Floriana F.C. on 2 July 2009. The club are also known as "The Irish" and footballing partners of, his former club, Shamrock Rovers and Russian side FC Volga Ulyanovsk
FC Volga Ulyanovsk
FC Volga Ulyanovsk is professional association football club based in Ulyanovsk, Russia. In 2008, they were relegated to the Russian Second Division 2009 after they finished 17th in Russian First Division...
. Collins had a very shaky start to his time in Floriana winning only 1 pre-season game and none of his first 3 competitive games including a humiliating 6-0 loss to eternal rivals Valletta F.C.. However just before he left the club he had guided the team to 7 unbeaten games.
Cork City FC
On December 15, 2009, Collins suddenly announced his departure from Floriana FC and returned to the League of IrelandLeague of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
to take charge of Cork City, where it was announced that he had signed a 12 month contract on December 23, 2009.
Collins spoke of his delight at the appointment and said that it was a job he had wanted "for many years". In February 2010 the holding company Cork City Investments Fc Ltd. was wound up and he was not reappointed. He didn't manage a single competitive game with City.
Monaghan United
In March 2011 Collins was appointed manager of First Division Monaghan United http://www.monaghanunited.com/page2.htm. He has achieved promotion to the Premier Division in his first season at the Mons.His son, also Roddy, made his debut in the EA Sports Cup http://monaghanunited.tv/?p=1081.