So what do you know about the new gaffer?
Roddy Collins has had a long playing and managerial career on both sides of the border before moving to the Brandywell hotseat.
Collins enjoyed a wide ranging playing career including spells with Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, Crusaders, Mansfield and a string of other clubs. A bustling side, Collins took charge as player manager at Bangor, avoid relegation in the 95/96 season before finishing his playing career with St Francis.
After a couple of years away for the game, Roddy returned to the League of Ireland when he replaced Joe McGrath at Bohemians. After stabilising the club over several years, he led Bohs to the double in 2000/01 as well as famous victories against Aberdeen and Kaiserlautern. Rod’s prominence increased further when he moved to Carlisle United and starred in a fly on the wall documentary, “The Rod Squad” which detailed his time at the club. Derry men John Cunningham and Paul Kee were also part of the management set up at the club but the Cumbrians consistently struggled near the foot of the table, with Roddy eventually dismissed.
Spells at Dublin City and Shamrock Rovers followed, with Roddy responsible for bringing Paddy McCourt to play for the Hoops. With financial troubles, Stephen Kenny brought the talismanic midfielder to the Brandywell and the rest as they say is history. However it would not end well for Roddy at either club.
A foreign adventure was the next port of call, with Roddy managing Floriana of Malta for a brief period before returning to take over at Cork City. However this was during the last days of Tom Coughlan’s troubled tenure at the club and Roddy eventually left as the club were denied a licence and therefore he never managed a game.
Roddy replaced Mick Cooke at Monaghan and won promotion with the Mons. However financial difficulties saw them exit the League in June 2012, which saw Roddy snapped up by Athlone later that year. Once again Roddy worked his magic and led to Athlone to the First Division title in late 2013 before swapping Lissywollen for a new challenge at Brandywell.
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