In the First Division, Bray Wanderers' home fixture against Dundalk, originally fixed for this weekend, has been deferred to Monday October 27, with a 3.15pm kick-off. In other Wanderers' news, striker Eamon Zayed was called up to Don Givens' Republic of Ireland U21 squad earlier this week, and has also been linked with a move to Russian side Dinamo Moscow.
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Former Derry City boss Dermot Keely has spoken out for the first time since his departure from the Brandywell club last month. He told the Irish Sun this week that, 'I have been happy enough to take the praise when I've been successful in the past and am quite prepared to take the blame when things have not gone well.'
'Perhaps there were some extenuating circumstances which contributed to me spending such a short time at the Brandywell. One of the trademarks of my management has been to go into a club, assess whether the players are good enough and - if they are not - to start a clear-out,' he added.
'I would accept that the signings I made simply were not good enough. Aside from Michael Holt (former St Pat's striker), the players I brought in were not of a high enough quality. The transfer deadline meant I had to work quickly,' stated Keely, 'but when you are in a rush, you can end up making mistakes.'
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Recently recruited Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin has told the club's website that their defence needs to be bolstered if they are to survive in the Premier Division this season.
'Our plans for the defence have changed with Lee Jones leaving the club recently,' said the former Shelbourne centre-half last week.
'We can't put in performances like the ones we have recently - giving other teams goals and it won't be tolerated by myself, the club and the fans. We've fifteen league games left and a lot of work to do.'
'On the injury front, Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien is still suffering from stomach and groin injuries and will be out for another 1-2 weeks. Darren Beesley resumed training last week,' added Doolin.
Drogheda have a Nigerian striker in their ranks at the moment, arriving at the club last Thursday. But there seems to be some confusion about whether he was registered properly - atogb will keep you posted.
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Details of the statement released by the eircom League and FAI on Monday in relation to Friday night's League games:
'The eircom League has today (Monday, October 6th) announced that this Friday's (October 10th) eircom League Premier Division Series 25 fixtures between St Patrick's Athletic and Longford Town (Richmond Park, 7.45pm) and Shelbourne and Bohemians (Tolka Park, 7.45pm) will take place as scheduled.
The eircom League acknowledges that this decision may cause some difficulties for the clubs concerned. However, due to the postponement of league fixtures already this season due to FAI Cup replays and participation in European competition by a number of clubs, it may not be possible to conclude the league programme on November 28th if the currently arranged fixtures do not take place as scheduled.
The potential for postponement of further league fixtures also exists - depending on the outcome of Wednesday's FAI Cup semi-final replay; should the FAI Cup Final need to be replayed on Sunday November 1st and if fixtures are lost as a result of adverse weather conditions leading to unplayable pitches.
The eircom League would be amenable to postponing the above mentioned Series 25 fixtures should suitable dates exist for their re-fixture. However, having examined all remaining potential dates for same, the eircom League has determined that no such suitable dates exist.
Therefore the eircom League has decided that, in the greater interest of the overall eircom League programme, the above mentioned Series 25 fixtures take place as scheduled.'
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Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon and PFAI (Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland) General Secretary Fran Gavin have made their thoughts known on the increasing amount of player agents doing business in the eircom League.
'I've noticed it recently,' said Fenlon on the association's website, pfai.ie. 'when I’ve gone to try and buy players, more of them now have agents representing them and they try and play off what they’re looking for against the different clubs.'
'The problem is that many of them are looking for signing-on fees for their players and I just won’t do it here at Shelbourne,' he added, 'we’re a full-time set-up paying full-time wages and there’s no way we could afford signing-on fees on top of it all – the players’ wages should reflect their standing.'
With a reported 5-10% of eircom league players represented by agents, Gavin, a former League defender, is adamant that the PFAI needs to become involved in this market, akin to the English PFA's role as agents in England. 'We are looking down the road to seeking a FIFA players license to represent players in the League', he said, 'and according to the FIFA rules ‘Players' associations that are officially recognised by national associations and that wish to provide a job placement service to their member players in accordance may conclude their own joint professional liability insurance policy with an insurance company in the country where they operate. The PFAI has no commercial agenda in this venture.'
Gavin is of the opinion that 'the League can’t afford to pay thousands of euros for agents fees – it’s not like England. Money that could stay within the game should and with the PFAI any money raised will go straight back into the League.'
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The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 1st October 2003 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 15th October 2003 unless otherwise stated:
Tony Bird (St. Patrick's Athletic) suspended for ONE (1) eircom League match as per FIFA directive and fined EUR50 as a result of being sent off v Waterford United (19.09.03). Suspension already served.
Shane Bradley (Finn Harps) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Damien Brennan (Kildare County) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Mick Cooke (Manager, Monaghan United) fined EUR50 and warned as to his future conduct as a result of being sent off v Athlone Town (19.09.03)
Paul Crowley (Dublin City) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR40 as a result of reaching eight (8) penalty points.
Hugh Davey (U.C.D.) suspended for ONE (1) eircom League match as per FIFA directive and EUR50 as a result of being sent off v Shamrock Rovers (19.09.03). Suspension already served.
Kevin Doherty (Shelbourne) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Wayne Fitzgerald (Waterford United) suspended for ONE (1) competitive
match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Brian Geraghty (Galway United) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR15 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points. (Under 21).
Tony Grant (Shamrock Rovers) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Owen Heary (Shelbourne) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Eric Molloy (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) eircom League match as per FIFA directive and EUR50 as a result of being sent off v Monaghan United (19.09.03). Suspension already served.
Andy Mullan (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) Under 21 League match as per FIFA directive and EUR25 as a result of being sent off v Bohemians (20.09.03). Suspension already served.
David Nicholl (Monaghan United) suspended for TWO (2) matches and fined EUR50 as a result of being sent off v Athlone Town (19.09.03). Suspended for next eircom League match as per FIFA directive (already served)and one competitive match as and from Wednesday, 15th October.
Mark Quinless (Drogheda United) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Anto Reilly (Dundalk) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Peter Rogers (Kildare County) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.
Pat Scully (Drogheda United) suspended for ONE (1) F.A.I.Cup match and EUR50 as a result of being sent off v Bohemians (16.09.03). Suspension to be served in next F.A.I. Cup match as per FIFA directive.
Anthony Shevlin (Mullingar Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR15 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points. (Under 21).
Darren Weldon (Mullingar Town) suspended for ONE (1) Under 21 League match as per FIFA directive and EUR25 as a result of being sent off v Dublin City (20.09.03). Suspension already served.
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