Collins takes legal advice after his dismissal

SOCCER/National League News round-up: In a move that had been expected since the club initiated an "investigation" into his recent conduct, Shamrock Rovers have announced that they have dismissed first team manager Roddy Collins. The club's board was due to start considering potential replacements at a meeting last night.

Collins, who had a year left on his contract with the club, will launch a legal challenge to his dismissal. However, the directors were satisfied they had sufficient grounds to proceed with his sacking. Under the circumstances club director Dave Carpenter declined to elaborate on the findings of the investigation, but he admitted that a number of recent incidents, including the Dubliner's early departure from the game against St Patrick's Athletic, his running of first-team affairs and his "general attitude to the board and the press", were among the major concerns raised.

Speaking on Off the Ball on Newstalk 106 last night, Collins revealed that matters were in the hands of his solicitors. "Obviously they didn't want me at the club, and that's their perogative. But to release a statement that it was an ongoing internal investigation is wrong: it's morally wrong. And I feel legally they're wrong as well, and my solicitors are taking it up to sort it out. So from a matter of principle I'll be taking it to court anyway.

"The only regret I have is that I didn't get the chance to keep them in the league, and I certainly would have done that over the two games against Dublin City. I've no doubts about that."

The club's directors have already started the process of seeking an alternative, and Carpenter said that it is hoped to make a decision "as soon as possible in order to avoid the creation of a vacuum" at a time when a squad needs to be assembled for next season.

Alan O'Neill, who guided the side through last week's two play-off games against Dublin City, has ruled himself out of the running. But there have been a number of expressions of interest, and the club's former central defender, Pat Scully, who is in charge at Kilkenny City, looks the early front-runner.

On another front, the Local Area Committee of South Dublin County Council, which has been reviewing the public authority's takeover of Rovers' half-built stadium in Tallaght, have recommended that the move proceed. It will now be voted on at a full meeting of the council on December 13th.

After repeated communication between local GAA officials and council members, an amendment to the effect that the ground also be made available to other sports when possible was passed by the committee's members. As a result the dimensions of the stadium's playing surface will be changed in order to allow it host Gaelic football matches, but Carpenter says that he is satisfied that this will not prevent Rovers from utilising the facility to the fullest extent.

"We're happy with the understanding we have with the council," he said. "We view the stadium as being, first and foremost, for the use of Shamrock Rovers, and we would expect that to be reflected in the final agreement between ourselves and South Dublin County Council.

"I wouldn't like to see Gaelic football played there in so far as it might impinge on Rovers' use of the ground, but if there are occasions when other organisations can be facilitated without us being adversely affected then that's not something that we would be particularly concerned about."

Waterford United have appointed former Limerick boss Mike Kerley to succeed Brendan Rea. Kerley, who also had spells as a player with Cork City and Kilkenny City, brings former FAI Regional Development Officer Trevor Lovell to the club with him as his assistant.

The 34-year-old was in charge at Limerick throughout the 2004 season, a particularly difficult year during which the club was struggling financially and hewas generally regarded as unfortunate not to have his contract renewed. "The is a great opportunity for myself and Trevor," he said yesterday.

Dublin City have announced that Dermot Keely is to stay with the club next season after guiding them to the Premier Division. The former Dundalk, Finn Harps and Shelbourne boss had been widely linked with a move to Irish League outfit Newry Town. Keely said that he was excited by the challenge.

"It's great news for the club," said City chairman Ronan Seery. "Dermot has proved himself one of the best managers in the game and this gives us great continuity going forward."

Sales of tickets for Sunday's FAI Cup final at Lansdowne Road were said yesterday to have exceeded the 17,000 mark. They continue to be available from both clubs and various Ticketmaster outlets.