Roddy Collins hits out at RTE

DERRY City manager Roddy Collins has hit out at RTE after what he felt was imbalanced coverage of last week's 0-0 draw with St Patrick's Athletic on the broadcaster's 'Soccer Republic' programme on Monday night.

The Dubliner felt that his side had done more than enough to win the game, but was annoyed that the coverage hadn't conveyed that message.

Collins did not speak to RTE following Friday's 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers. Instead, it was Peter Hutton, the assistant manager, who conducted the television interview, although Collins did speak to other media in attendance.

Writing in his programme notes for the game against Sligo, Collins began by noting his displeasure at the broadcaster.

"I must admit that I was really disappointed at RTE's highlights of our game against League champions St Pat's at the Brandywell last weekend," Collins said.

"I watched their 'Soccer Republic' programme last Monday night, just to confirm to myself that our scoring opportunities had been clear cut but, to my amazement, the efforts of Rory Patterson, Dean Jarvis and that last-gasp effort of Michael Duffy's were all edited out."

Duffy had forced a superb save from Brendan Clarke late in the game at the Brandywell last week, the youngster's stinging effort drawing a fine stop from the Pat's goalkeeper.

Earlier in the game both Patterson and Jarvis went close for City. None of these chances were included in the package screened on Monday night.

"The chances created by St Pat's, which were not so clear-cut, had been on screen," Collins continued.

"What annoyed me most was the fact that a few friends of mine, having watched the programme, suggested to me during the week that we had been 'battered by Pat's at the Brandywell' which, of course, was certainly not the case.

"I felt the coverage was not balanced and I really did expect much more from the national broadcaster."