Derry &Bohs not happy with criminal Byrne

Derry City's hopes of lifting the eircom League crown have received a major blow following the ruling of the FAI Appeals Board 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.

An angry war of words erupted between Fenlon and Derry counterpart Stephen Kenny over the possibility of a replay of the August 17th game between Bohs and Shels - but the Derry chief will be furious at the decision to grant that scenario.

The controversy erupted when Bohemians defender Jason McGuinness played against Shels despite a suspension, an indiscretion for which Bohs were subsequently deducted three points.

Shelbourne 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 the FAI Appeals Board has 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".

The three-point deduction against Bohemians stands, as the club was guilty of fielding an ineligible player, although there remains the laughable possibility that Bohs could win erase their punishment by winning the replayed encounter.

For Derry, however, the situation is far from laughable. With Shels handed the opportunity to move a further three points clear at the top, the prospects of the Candystripes claiming the league crown for the first time in seven years has taken a real hit.