You may not be aware but it's International Men's Day today. Now, we reckon there is a fair case for scrapping the day altogether. Not because its a bad idea but because it appears to have given Twitter another thing to give out about. And congratulations to the woman on Twitter who became 10,000,000th person to tweet the joke "Wait, isn't everyday international men's day?"
But International Men's Day has redeemed itself. For today, Roddy Collins is back in a job.
Because Roddy Collins, in addition to being one of the best managers in the League of Ireland, is, as every Gender Studies professor will agree, the finest male role model out there today. Here are the ten reasons why:
1. He dresses immaculately
2. He's open about his feelings
Here's Roddy on his period out of the game
"If I had to spend years in prison, in solitary confinement, it couldn't have been as heartbreaking. It was the worst feeling in my whole life ever"
3. He has known success
Winning the Double with Bohs in 2000/01.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waewgrkWCH4
4. He lets himself be known
His spell at Athlone Town this year was unusual in that he didn't invite the TV cameras into the dressing room
5. He's manufactured some serious victories against the odds
4-1 down at half-time away to Shamrock Rovers (if anyone was really ever 'away' to Shamrock Rovers between 1987 and 2009) Bohs achieved a barely creditable 6-4 win.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A5S4KorpE0
6. He's taken the slings and arrows and the bottles
During the amazing 6-4 win against Shamrock Rovers in Santry in 2001, a Rovers supporters reportedly tossed a glass bottle in the direction of Roddy. He barely flinched.
7. He's battled through hard times
Carlisle struggled against relegation during Roddy's time (as they usually do) but they survived.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbGQwcGhVxE
8. He looks after his own people
An army of Irish players followed him to Carlisle. The whole of Shelbourne and Bohemians was transported to Cumbria for a while.
9. He'll go anywhere for work
Even the Leinster Senior League
I was desperate to get back in the game. I'd been out of Irish football for seven years. I applied for every job and was ridiculed for doing it. I actually went for an interview with a Leinster Senior League team and was turned down on that as well.
Not many people know this but even coached St. Joseph's O'Connell Boys GAA team on Sheriff Street for a few sessions.
10. He's started at the bottom again
Getting Monaghan United promoted was some achievement. Particularly seeing as they folded before they could play a Premier League game again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzGmsvCGrfI
