Independent ruling boosts Derry hopes

DERRY CITY’S hopes of lifting the eircom League crown on Friday night have been boosted by the decision of independent arbitrator, Mr Michael Collins SC, to uphold the initial eircom League decision on the Bohemians-Shelbourne controversy.

The league had ruled that Bohs be deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, defender Jason McGuinness, in the August 17 encounter at Dalymount Park.

Shelbourne decided to appeal that decision, and the FAI Appeals Board decreed that the Bohs points deduction should stand, with the controversial appendix that the Bohs-Shels fixture should be replayed in the interests of fair play.

That effectively wiped out Derry’s game in hand on Shels — but the eircom League requested for the matter to go before independent arbitration, and Mr Collins, having heard representations from the eircom League, FAI Appeal Board, Shelbourne and Bohemian, has reversed the Appeals Board’s decision and come down on the side of the initial League ruling.

The eircom League will now come to a conclusion on the pitch on Friday night with second-placed Derry City taking on Cork City at the Brandywell and Shelbourne, ironically, meeting Bohemians at Tolka Park.

Derry and Shels are level on points but such is the latter’s superior goal difference that victory against Bohs will be enough to secure the title for the Dublin club. However, Derry are once again in a strong position to capitalise on any Shels stumble, assuming they can get a better result against Cork at home.

Not surprisingly, Derry City have welcomed yesterday’s ruling. In a statement the club also said: “We take this opportunity to the thank the FAI, the eircom League and Mr Collins for the courtesy afforded to our club solicitor in the representations made on our behalf.”

Meanwhile, Shelbourne chief executive, Ollie Byrne confined his initial public reaction to a brief holding statement, saying that the club would “keep its counsel” and convey its thoughts on the matter to the FAI.

*RTÉ Two will be broadcasting live coverage of the crucial Shels v Bohs clash at Tolka Park on Friday at 7.30pm. But there will also be a live link to the Brandywell where Derry City will take on Cork City.