Collins wields the axe at City

Dublin City FC manager Roddy Collins has today axed 15 first-team squad members at the eircom League Premier Division’s bottom club.

The former Bohs manager told the players this morning he was transfer-listing them as they no longer had a role to play at the struggling club.

The Vikings are eight points from safety at the bottom of the eircom League premier division with 14 games left to extricate themselves from the automatic relegation spot.

They lost 2-0 at home to Derry City on Thursday night when Collins handed debuts to the four new players he has signed since replacing John Gill as manager last month.

One of the quartet, Danny Boxall, suffered a knee injury in that match and has been ruled out indefinitely, just to heighten City’s problems.

Collins is said to have met the players individually this morning to tell them of his plans.

He has also arranged a friendly against Newry Town on Monday night as a showcase for the departing players to find new clubs.

"I met with all the players on Saturday and had a good chat with them and I explained where we're at and where we wanted to take the club.

"They're a smashing bunch and I thanked them for their efforts. I've told each and every one of them that I'll do whatever I can to help fix them up with clubs or whatever I can assist in helping them with their careers.

"I'd identified the areas I needed players and I was very frank with them and told them that I had to make decisions in the best interests of Dublin City.”