Soccer

Eligibility issue is black and white to me: Newry City boss Darren Mullen

Glentoran's Aaron McCarey tips Newry's John McGovern's header onto the bar during last week's Irish Cup quarter-final. The Glens were thrown out of the competition last night over a player eligibility issue
Glentoran's Aaron McCarey tips Newry's John McGovern's header onto the bar during last week's Irish Cup quarter-final. The Glens were thrown out of the competition last night over a player eligibility issue Glentoran's Aaron McCarey tips Newry's John McGovern's header onto the bar during last week's Irish Cup quarter-final. The Glens were thrown out of the competition last night over a player eligibility issue

NEWRY City boss Darren Mullen insists the issue surrounding their Irish Cup reprieve after it was found Glentoran had fielded an ineligible player “seems a black and white” case.

In a short statement, the Glens confirmed they will seek legal advice after being thrown out of the premier cup competition last night for fielding Joe Crowe against Newry in last week’s quarter-final who was deemed ineligible because he hadn't completed a three-game suspension.

After losing the tie 1-0, Newry will now face Ballymena United in the Irish Cup semi-finals on April 2.

Speaking to The Irish News last night, Mullen said: “After the quarter-final we heard the rumours of a possible ineligible player and had discussions with the authorities in terms of the appeal process.

“That has now been looked at and the IFA have decided that it was the case. I’m not a fan of appeals or protests but the rules are there for a reason and the ineligibility issue seems black and white to me.”

He added: “We now have a massive occasion for the club in an Irish Cup semi-final and I know it’s a day everyone involved with the club will be looking forward to. Ballymena will be another extremely tough ask but we will take plenty of positives from our performance against Glentoran.”

Glens boss Mick McDermott blamed the online player registration and match-day player listings system, Comet, citing that it wasn't "fit for purpose", and that they should have been made aware of any eligibility issue before the game took place.