The UEFA Club Licensing Appeals Body have awarded licences to 18 eircom League clubs for the 2005 season.
12 clubs have acquired Premier Licences. Shelbourne and Cork are among them and will both now turn their attentions to obtaining UEFA licences as they gear up for participation in the Champions League and UEFA Cup next season.
However, Longford Town have released a statement revealing that they failed to gain a Premier Licence and could face relegation to the First Division.
A short statement released by the club said: "Longford Town FC would like to confirm that our appeal of the First Instance Club Licensing Committee decision has been unsuccessful.
"We are addressing the areas of concern and hope to have
this completed in the next week.”
If the club do not satisfy the Appeals Committee by next week, they could face relegation from the First Division in line with guidelines in the FAI club licensing manual.
Meanwhile, Dublin City have also said that they have failed
to gain a First Division licence, though their secretary, Ronan Seery, is confident that they will receive a licence next week.
Earlier, Drogheda United and Athlone Town announced that they have been awarded licences.
The FAI's Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney, said that the financial and legal criteria had placed more stringent conditions on clubs this year but it was obvious that clubs put huge efforts into gaining their licences at this stage.
"We were confident that most clubs were making significant progress and this has proved to be the case", Mr Delaney added.
He said the evaluation process was meticulous and very fair with the FAI's Club Licensing Department working round the clock in aiding and guiding clubs with their applications prior to adjudication by the Independent Appeals Body.
Mr Delaney indicated again that clubs who failed to achieve licences would not qualify for Government funding.
Clubs Awarded Premier Licences: Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Cork City, Derry City, Drogheda United, Finn Harps, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, St Patrick's Athletic, UCD and Waterford United.
Clubs Awarded First Division Licences: Athlone Town, Cobh Ramblers, Galway United, Kilkenny City, Limerick, Monaghan United and Sligo Rovers.
