Dublin City FC yesterday resigned from the National League after the company that runs it, Little Roc Inc, ceased trading earlier in the day.
At a specially convened Board of Control meeting of the league yesterday evening it was decided that points accumulated in the 17 matches against Dublin City be deducted and the league table has been revised accordingly.
Drogheda United and Derry City are the main beneficiaries as they go top and second in the table respectively after losing four and three points gained, respectively, against Dublin in their two games.
Erstwhile leaders Shelbourne and Cork City lose six points each and drop to third and fourth place.
Junior club Killester United, drawn against Dublin City in the third round of the FAI Cup, can expect to receive a bye into the quarter-finals.
Dublin City's players immediately become free agents and are available to sign for other clubs.
"It is with deep regret that Little Roc Inc, trading as Dublin City Football Club, has ceased trading. Due to ongoing difficulties, our continued existence within the Eircom League simply became untenable, and while extremely difficult to make, it is the most prudent and honourable decision and course of action to take," an official statement released by Ronan Seery, Dublin City CEO, said.
"I would like to thank all those people who shared in the Dublin City dream and who, no doubt, will be disappointed, as I am, with this turn of events," the statement added.
Set up in 2001 following a final breakaway from Home Farm, Dublin City maintained a presence in the league despite a negligible fan base and survived largely on the business acumen of Seery and his unstinting ability to attract sponsors and patrons to the club.
"It is with deep regret (that) we announce the resignation of Dublin City from the Eircom League," said league chairman Paddy McCaul.
"I would like to acknowledge the remarkable hard work and enormous contribution to Irish football made by Dublin City chairman, Ronan Seery and club secretary, Breda Mahon."
FAI CEO John Delaney said that the loss of any club from football is very unwelcome.
"In the case of Dublin the disappointment for the many loyal and dedicated football people associated with the club must be difficult in the extreme."
He added: "The issues affecting all Eircom League clubs in terms of viability and securing a sustainable future within the league are similar and are very much behind the rationale for the planned merger with the FAI."
Revised Table
P W D L F A Pts
Drogheda Utd 14 9 3 2 14 4 30
Derry City 13 9 2 2 19 8 29
Shelbourne 13 8 4 1 26 11 28
Cork City 14 8 4 2 13 6 28
Sligo Rovers 15 7 4 4 20 18 25
St Patrick's Ath 16 5 6 5 17 15 21
UCD 16 4 6 6 15 14 18
Bohemians 16 5 2 9 15 18 17
Longford Town 14 3 4 7 10 14 13
Bray Wanderers 15 2 4 9 11 27 10
Waterford Utd 16 0 3 13 11 36 3
