The eircom League got a rare boost today when Dublin City announced it would not pursue its request for an arbitration hearing into the 'Noel Hunt Affair'. The eircom League got a rare boost today when Dublin City announced it would not pursue its request for an arbitration hearing into the 'Noel Hunt Affair'.
The current First Division standings - with Drogheda United at the top and Finn Harps in second place - can now be considered final.
Action on the field finished over two weeks ago, but the league had been left in limbo by City's insistence that they were entitled to replay their earlier match with Waterford United because United had fielded an ineligble player.
City, however, have decided to back down, and this afternoon released a statement saying:
"In the best interests of the League and Football, Dublin City have brought this matter to a conclusion. While the chance to play Premier League football is a huge incentive, we will live to fight another day and look forward to the new season in July confident that we have the ability to join the country's elite."
The promotion/relegation play-off matches may now be go ahead. The dates are as follows:
Saturday 20th April 2002
Longford Town v Finn Harps
Flancare Park, kick-off 7.30 p.m.
Tuesday 23rd April 2002
Finn Harps v Longford Town
Finn Park, kick-off 7.45 p.m.