Roddy row comes to a head

All eyes will be on the Tolka Park dugouts tonight when Roddy Collins takes charge of Shamrock Rovers against Dublin City, the club he walked out on two weeks ago (7.45pm).

City are playing their last Premier Division game until at least 2006 after a forgettable season which has seen them bump along at the bottom of the table for most of the campaign.

But even though relegation had for a long time seemed a certainty before final confirmation came last week, the manner of Collins’ departure, hours before a match and to join relegation rivals Rovers, left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Vikings.

City chief executive Ronan Seery has asked the FAI to investigate Collins’ defection and there has been no attempt to defuse the animosity from either camp in the build-up to tonight’s eircom League match.

City caretaker boss Dermot Keely has stated he will refuse to shake the hand of his predecessor, while Collins has mocked the former Shels boss for being past his prime as a manager.

All concerned will be relieved these two sides will be kept apart for at least a season once the final whistle blows tonight.

The only significant team news is that Hoops midfielder Shane Robinson will miss out through suspension.