‘Fair play’ replay hits Derry hopes

DERRY CITY’S hopes of winning the eircom League have received a major blow following a ruling by the FAI Appeals Board yesterday that the contentious Premier Division clash between Bohemians and Shelbourne should be replayed in the interest of “fair play.”

Derry climbed to within three points of Shels, with a game in hand on the leaders, after victory over Pat Fenlon’s side at the Brandywell last week.

But there was an angry exchange afterwards between Fenlon and Derry counterpart Stephen Kenny over the possibility of a replay of the August 18 game between Bohs and Shels which the Gypsies won 2-1, but were then deducted three points for fielding Jason McGuinness, who was ineligible because of suspension.

Bohs were subsequently deducted three points for the indiscretion.

Kenny was quoted as saying earlier in the week that if a replay was ordered, it would be “one of the biggest scandals in Irish football history.”

Responding to that, Fenlon said: “There’s a case here of stones and glass-houses and they’ve got to be very careful about what road they want to go down.

“I can’t listen to some of the crap that’s come out, particularly from Stephen in regard to things being ‘won on the pitch.’ If he’s realistic about that and he looks at the big picture, well then he’s got to look at the full picture, and not just look at it the way he wants to look at it.”

Shelbourne launched their appeal when chief executive Ollie Byrne claimed that his club was entitled to at least a replay, as the three-point penalty against Bohemians penalised that club, but failed to give any recompense to Shels, who were the aggrieved party.

And yesterday the FAI Appeals Board effectively concurred with Byrne’s version of events by ruling that the game should be replayed “in the interests of fair play” and “as a matter of urgency”.

Bohs could erase their punishment by winning the replayed encounter. Shels now have the chance to move a further three points clear and the prospects of the Candystripes claiming the league crown for the first time in seven years has taken a real hit.