Limerick FC have failed in their High Court bid to restrain the Football Association of Ireland from replacing the club in the League of Ireland.

JRM Sports, the trading name of Limerick FC, had sought an injunction preventing the FAI from negotiating contracts or granting a licence to another team to replace Limerick FC.

The club alleged unfairness in the manner in which the FAI heard its appeal against the decision not to grant a playing licence for the coming season.

A fortnight ago Limerick FC chairman Danny Drew secured an interim injunction from the High Court which, until today, prevented the FAI replacing it in the First Division.

Consequently, that injunction prevented league membership applications from Limerick 37 - another city based consortium - and Wexford Youths from being processed.

But today's ruling now paves the way for both those entities to pursue their applications for league membership.

The FAI said its licensing department would work "flat out" in the coming weeks to process the two outstanding applications before them.

Drew - who conceded there had been problems with his club but insisted it could now meet the licensing requirements which it was previously adjudged to have failed - can appeal the ruling.

Mr Justice Frank Clarke awarded costs to the FAI and said it was not the role of the court to decide  which clubs get a playing licence.

He said the FAI made it clear to Limerick FC why the club had failed to gain a licence in December.
 
The ruling is a "clear endorsement of the club licensing process," new League of Ireland Director Fran Gavin said in a statement.

"We are trying to improve standards and licensing is a key element of that," he added.  "We are committed to ensuring that Limerick has a vibrant soccer scene at all levels and that is something we will be working towards."