The FAI’s Independent Club Licensing Committee has confirmed his afternoon that Cobh Ramblers have been denied a first division licence, thereby clearing the way for Kildare County to play in the second tier.
The news was widely expected in Cobh. It is not yet clear whether the Cork club intends to appeal the decision, though they have five days to do so. For now, they only have clearance to play in the A Championship.
The decision means, despite having lost a promotion-relegation play-off to Mervue United, Kildare effectively replace Cobh in the 12-team first division.
In total, 15 premier division and seven first division licences were awarded, with Drogheda United the most notable inclusion in the top division, having emerged from examinership last month.
Five clubs competing in the first division – Finn Harps, Monaghan United, Shelbourne, UCD and Waterford – have been awarded licences for the premier division.
Despite owing their playing staff around 13 weeks of back-pay, Athlone Town have been awarded a first division licence. The midlands club have, along with Cork City, Cobh and Kildare, given “financial commitments” that must be “honoured within agreed dates before the start of the 2009 season" on March 6th.
Dundalk, meanwhile, have been granted their premier division licence subject to their artificial pitch passing a Fifa examination.
In April, the committee will also consider licence applications from the four clubs - Bohemians, St Patrick’s Athletic, Derry City and Sligo Rovers – that qualified for Uefa competitions last season.
The FAI has also confirmed a new “catalogue of sanctions” has been drawn up for clubs in breach of licensing criteria, including “pre-determined sanctions for examinership”.
“Now that the licences have been issued for 2009, fixtures will be issued this evening and we can look forward to clubs focusing on matters on the pitch,” said Fran Gavin, director of the League of Ireland.
Premier League Licences
Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Cork City, Derry City, Drogheda United, Dundalk FC, Finn Harps, Galway United, Monaghan United, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourse FC, Sligo Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic, UCD, Waterford United
First Division
Athlone Town, Kildare County, Limerick FC, Longford Town, Mervue United, Sporting Fingal, Wexford Youths
A Championship
Cobh Ramblers, Salthill Devon, Tullamore Town
