Bohs likely to take Derry's Europa League place

Bohemians are likely to take up Derry City's place in next season's Europa League after the Candystripes' chairman Philip O'Doherty effectively ruled out an appeal.

UEFA decided not to grant Derry City permission to apply for a licence to play in any of their competitions for the 2012/13 season.

The Foylesiders are in the final year of a three-year suspension and were working with the FAI in appealing to UEFA for a derogation of the 'three-year' rule, arguing that the club was a new entity, and as such was entitled to apply for a licence.

The Association said that they will consult with the club in the coming days and should no appeal of the decision be made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Bohemians will be nominated in Derry City's place.

Derry City chairman Philip O’Doherty has admitted that an appeal may be too expensive for the club.

O'Doherty said: "We’re going to have a look at that when we get the statement but it would be unlikely that we would be successful.

"We did a very, very good application and the questions we were asked, they were answered positively. The amount of money we have spent taking care of previous responsibilities, I would have thought would have been enough to basically bend the rules.

"The players will be gutted as well, not getting the chance to play on a larger stage and with the success they had a few years ago and obviously the recent success of Shamrock Rovers. It’s a big, big disappointment for everyone involved."