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.

Meanwhile, as Derry City got off on an apparent technicality, in the First Division Shamrock Rovers were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, cutting their lead at the top to one point.

A statement issued by the eircom League last night explained: “At the eircom League Board of Control meeting held earlier it was decided to deduct three (3) points from Shamrock Rovers FC for their playing of Paul Shiels while under suspension v Dundalk on July 23rd. The Board also decided to take no action against Derry City FC for their playing of Sean Hargan while under suspension v Bohemians on July 7th as the notification of the player’s suspension was not sent to the club within the prescribed timeframe.”

George O’Callaghan’s future with Cork City remains in doubt after he was not amongst the overage players selected to play an U21 game against Cobh Ramblers on Tuesday night.

Instead the club played a trio from the senior squad at St Colman’s Park in preparation for Friday night’s crucial tie with Derry City.

O’Callaghan, who had a training ground bust-up with manager Damien Richardson after the player was sent off against Bohemians in June, had been training with Stuart Ashton’s U21 team for the past week. He has not lined out for City since the scoreless draw at Dalymount. Despite his exclusion from their 2-0 victory in Cobh, he will resume duties tonight.

“Basically, George is fulfilling the terms of his contract by training with the club and he has to do so to ensure he gets paid at the end of the week,” Richardson said. “George will train with the U21’s again tomorrow night and next week.

“We are willing to listen to offers for him but as of now Limerick have been the only club to come in with a proposal to take him on loan to the end of the season.”