AN APPEAL by St James's Gate against their dismissal from the FAI National League was ruled out of order and dismissed at a meeting of the league's Management Committee last night. There was no decision on a replacement club as the league are due to interview several applicants next Monday night.

A spokesman for St James's Gate said that while they had forwarded a copy of the appeal by registered post to the FAI, they were informed that it was in breach of the regulations because a copy had not been deposited with officers of the National League. The spokesman said it was "blatantly unfair" that the appeal had been dismissed on "a technicality".

The club's chairman, Brendan O'Regan said he was devastated by the decision to know what further steps his club could now take. They are due to meet to discuss their options tonight.

"We were hoping that common sense would prevail and that we would be accepted back into the National League. We felt that the demands placed upon us to provide details of a sponsor and our financial matters up front were unfair and unprecedented. We have now secured a sponsor who will come in if we are reinstated and have appointed a treasurer to get our house in order.

"We have lost all our first team players due to the situation but have a contingency plan to bring in semi professional players immediately."

Meanwhile, the draw for the quarter finals of the League Cup was made last night. League Champions St Patrick's Athletic play Cork City on Tuesday September 17th, at home. Bohemians and Drogheda United open the quarter finals series with a match at Dalymount Park on September 16th, while Derry City meet Galway United at Terryland Park. Dundalk play Athlone Town at home.