Appeal to reinstate Dublin City results fails

IT’S as you were in the Premier Division this morning after the eircom League Management Committee yesterday decided not to reinstate the results of matches involving Dublin City, who went out of business last month.

Joint league leaders Derry City in particular were breathing a sigh of relief after they avoided a three-point penalty — or worse — for fielding Sean Hargan while the player was under suspension.

Shelbourne’s appeal against the original decision to expunge Dublin City’s results from the record was upheld on the grounds that the Management Committee and not the Board Of Control should have made the decision. But after what was described as a lengthy debate, the Management Committee yesterday came up with a new judgement — which happened to mirror exactly the one made by the Board of Control. As a result, Dublin City’s results do not go back into the mix and there is no change in the table — although Shelbourne CEO Ollie Byrne is known to be angry about the decision and can be expected to launch a fresh appeal.