Sport

Mathews to appeal ruling

Longford Town manager Alan Mathews will appeal the severity of the three-month suspension and €5,000 fine imposed on him yesterday…

Paul Buttner
Sat Oct 14 2006 - 01:00

Longford Town manager Alan Mathews will appeal the severity of the three-month suspension and €5,000 fine imposed on him yesterday by the FAI following an allegation by referee Pat Whelan that Mathews assaulted him at the end of the FAI Cup quarter-final between St Patrick's Athletic and Longford Town at Richmond Park on September 29th.

Though the league season finishes on the weekend of November 19th, Mathews has been suspended from all football until December 31st. Longford Town yesterday said they would "explore all available options to overturn this decision".

Meanwhile, Derry City travel to meet Longford at Flancare Park tonight with a second successive Eircom/SWAI player-of-the-month award after defender Darren Kelly received the gong yesterday.

"I have to call a spade a spade and the league is the main one . . ." said Kelly as Derry chase a domestic treble, having already won the League Cup.

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"However, it's great to be involved in the FAI Cup as well and I think we've got the quality and strength in our squad to cope with that and win our games in hand in the league as well."

Though they have three games in hand on leaders Shelbourne, who are 10 points ahead of them, Derry will need to improve on a league run of four draws and a defeat. Kevin Deery is out with a hip injury, and Pat McCourt is out with a hamstring.

Striker Kevin McHugh is struggling with a knee injury picked up in Tuesday's defeat to Drogheda United.

Longford have striker Dessie Baker available following suspension.

Defender Jason Gavin returns from suspension for fourth-placed Drogheda United, revitalised after their win at the Brandywell on Tuesday, for the visit of UCD to United Park. Striker Shane Barrett has had flu this week but should be fit for inclusion. Winger James Keddy and striker Tony Grant remain out injured.

UCD are without midfielders Pat McWalter (knee) and Stephen Hurley (hamstring).

Defender Liam Burns and key striker Darren Mansaram return for Sligo Rovers' clash with Waterford United at the Showgrounds, though right-back Gavin Peers may have to remain in central defence as captain Michael McNamara and Jamie McKenzie are injured.

Waterford give late fitness tests to Alan Reynolds and John Hayes.