NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coach Martin Russell and senior player Paul Osam will be taking temporary charge of St Patrick's Athletic against Derry City at the Brandywell tomorrow night following the surprise resignation yesterday of manager Eamonn Collins, writes Emmet Malone, Soccer correspondent
Collins became the third Eircom League manager in just two weeks to part company with his employers. The club has made a poor start to the league, taking just nine points from eight games, but Collins' decision seems to have been prompted by his dissatisfaction with the way the club was being run and, in particular, by his belief that moves to replace him were already under way.
Collins is said to have been angered by reports that club chairman Andy O'Callaghan had met in the last week with Dublin businessman Des Kelly and Roddy Collins who, it is believed, Kelly would want as manager in the event of becoming involved with the Richmond Park outfit.
Kelly's money is desperately needed by the club, which has been in financial difficulty for some time. During the past year or so sustained cost-cutting efforts have seen a number of backroom staff and players being let go but debts remain significant.
Kelly, whose carpet and furniture company is the main sponsor of Bohemians, and Collins yesterday denied meeting O'Callaghan.
"St Pat's are in my blood and I love everything about the club," said Collins yesterday, "but I did not agree with how the club was been run. We've struggled this season and even last season when we were successful, it was difficult.
"I didn't fall out with anyone but I just felt I couldn't do my job under the circumstances and it's time for somebody else.
"I would like to thank the fans for their support during what has been a difficult time for the club," he added, "and I hope to someday come back and manage St Pat's under different circumstances."
Prior to his departure Collins had been working on establishing a link with Chelsea that would involve the London side using St Patrick's as a feeder club and would have brought significant benefits to the club.
A meeting between representatives of the two clubs is planned for next week although it is unclear whether the departure of Collins, who is believed to have been central to the initiative, will kill off the project.
Meanwhile, Jason Byrne, the Republic of Ireland's newest international cap, yesterday picked up the first Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland player-of-the-month award of the season. The two goals that beat St Patrick's Athletic last Friday brought his tally to eight for the season so far and provided a fitting end to the week in which he made his Ireland debut as a late substitute in the 0-0 draw in Bydgoszcz.
"It was an unbelievable month for me, scoring that many goals and getting the call up to the international team. I don't think it could have gone any better," said Byrne as he prepared to face Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park tonight.
