Shelbourne chief executive Ollie Byrne says that St Pat's should be allowed to replay the ties which featured unregistered player Paul Marney. The Inchicore club was initially fined £1000 for fielding Marney against Shels, Derry City and Galway United, but the FAI increased this to a deduction of nine points following an appeal by Shels. The issue is set to be considered on Monday by Kilkenny City chairman Liam Reidy, who is also a barrister.
"St Pat's manager Pat Dolan makes reference to games being won and lost on the pitch. Consequently, we would have no problems if St Pat's wanted to replay the three matches concerned – that means our club would drop a point from its current total in the table. We could, of course, gain two extra points from a replayed tie," said Byrne, who was speaking in a personal capacity.
Byrne also hit out at the St Pat's manager: "Pat Dolan now claims that the decision was none of Shelbourne's business. I would like to remind Pat that the unregistered player was in the St Pat's team that drew 1-1 with Shelbourne on August 17 last."
Filed by Greg McKevitt
