City boost as Alan Bennett escapes further sanction

Cork City skipper and centre-half Alan Bennett has been cleared of a charge of violent conduct after being sent off in the EA Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Shamrock Rovers.

Despite fears he could face an additional two-match ban, Bennett’s appearance before a disciplinary hearing in Dublin yesterday resulted in a decision to take no further action against the player beyond the automatic one-match ban — which ruled him out of last Saturday’s FAI Cup victory in Bray — he had already served for his red card in Tallaght.

The controversial incident, which involved the allegation that Bennett had stamped on Dave Webster, subsequently gave rise to a war of words between City boss John Caulfield and Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley.