Crossing over as Collins closes in on Gaelic football goal
Collins said a deal that would see him dump soccer for life as a junior Gaelic football manager was effectively done.
He said all that remained was to gain a firm commitment from players and officials last night that their ambitions matched his.
It’s yet another twist in the career of the Dubliner who has previously managed Carlisle, Bohemians, Dublin City and Shamrock Rovers.
However, his high-profile falling out with Rovers chiefs and subsequent departure late last year has soured his interest in the game. He said he is ready to put his energies into increasing the profile and fortunes of St Joseph’s.
The surprising development came about as a result of a chance meeting between Collins and GPA chief Dessie Farrell at the RTÉ awards before Christmas.
Farrell informed Collins in a joking manner about the vacancy and the rest, Collins hopes, will be history.
“I have an awful lot of time for the GAA, I played with the club myself and I’m really up for it so I just thought why not?” said Collins.
“I know I’ve got a bit to learn about the game and about Gaelic football. But I’m used to dealing with sportsmen and their physical conditioning.
“It’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
Collins has already secured a sponsor for the club - his former Carlisle prodigy Richie Foran.
The former Irish U-21 striker is on the books of Motherwell but is a member of the GAA club and has agreed to buy them a set of jerseys.
“Richie will have a right laugh when he comes home and sees his name on the front of the jerseys,” joked Collins.
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