THE Republic of Ireland football team might be taking on the minnows of San Marino in a crucial European Championship qualifier this evening but an even more intriguing soccer battle is set to take place in Dublin tomorrow.


Roddy Collins, the former manager of Shamrock Rovers, is taking a claim for unfair dismissal in relation to his controversial sacking from the Dublin club last year.

The case is due to start before a hearing of the Employment Appeals Tribunal in Dublin tomorrow in what is believed to be the first such legal action of its kind involving the manager of a League of Ireland soccer club.





“The case will be very interesting as it is likely to shed a light into some of the dark corners of the League of Ireland which wouldn’t normally be exposed,” said one soccer commentator last night.

Mr Collins, one of the most high-profile and colourful characters in Irish soccer management, was sacked last November with a year of his contract to run.

His dismissal by the club’s board of directors came after Shamrock Rovers carried out an internal investigation into his conduct as manager.

The inquiry is believed to have examined a number of issues including Mr Collins’s early departure from a league game against St Patrick’s Athletic, his management of the club’s first team as well as his general attitude to both the club’s board and journalists.

It is understood he was earning a salary of around €1,000 per week plus expenses under his contract with the club. Under EAT legislation, the maximum amount which can be awarded to an employee who is unfairly sacked is two-years’ salary.

Following his dismissal, Mr Collins declared it was “morally wrong” for the club to have carried out an investigation into his performance. He warned at the time he would take legal action against Shamrock Rovers as “a matter of principle”.

However, he declined to explain his reason for taking the case before the Employment Appeal Tribunal when contacted yesterday.

It is understood Mr Collins took no legal action after he was sacked by English league side Carlisle United in 2003 after a series of poor results.

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This will be interesting considering it is a soccer manager. could open the way for more cases if things go his way

Gareth Cronin is taking a similar case against Waterford.

















For unfair hiring!

you have no rights under the employment act if you are in a job for less than 12 months i think.

Did Roddy jump ship from Dublin City in 2004 to SRFC right before the 2 teams played?

Did Roddy jump ship from Dublin City in 2004 to SRFC right before the 2 teams played?

Only jumped the once I think Sorry !

There are exceptions, though whether any of them apply to Roddy, I don't know.

Apology accepted

Case settled.

Collins claims to have been vindicated!

Doesn't cover for the fact that he was a disaster for Rovers though.

What was the verdict?

There wasn't one.

The case was settled.

Roddy won by a technical knock-out!