Roddy’s rant raises player ire

Yesterday’s outburst by Roddy Collins on the demise of the League of Ireland was roundly criticised, with Dundalk’s title-winning captain Stephen O’Donnell leading the reaction.

Collins — who has managed a string of league clubs including Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers — raised the issues on RTÉ Radio 1’s Today With Sean O’Rourke programme, in the aftermath of Sunday’s FAI Cup final.

The outspoken pundit insisted he was “embarrassed” by the quality of football produced at Lansdowne Road in the decider between Derry City and victors St Patrick’s Athletic, adding the football public were deluded if they felt the standard was comparable to lower division football in England.