Gaynor, Buckley hit the deadline

TRANSFER deadline day came and went yesterday with scarcely a flicker. Tommy Gaynor and Liam Buckley were the two notable movers, joining Bohemians and Sligo Rovers respectively. Ironically, they are direct opponents at the Showgrounds tonight.

Bohemians' hand for tonight's imposing trip was further strengthened when James Coil was given leave by the High Court on Thursday to seek an injunction against the FAI over the two-game ban imposed by the appeals committee, thereby making him eligible for the game against Sligo. That application will be heard next Thursday.

In another, potentially more distressing irony for Merrion Square, Pascal Vaudequia's three-man arbitration hearing against the eight-game ban which was re-imposed by the appeals committee will also be held next Thursday.

Both players maintain their appeals were not heard within the requisite 14 days of the original suspensions, thereby raising the prospect of the three-man arbitration panel possibly coming to a decision which could be at loggerheads with the High Court. With Felix Healy's arbitration hearing against his 11-month touchline ban pending, this could open up a right old hornet's nest.

Meanwhile, the signing of Gaynor is the last significant throw of the dice, with regard to transfers at any rate, in the championship race. Gaynor, 34 last Wednesday, was described by Turlough O'Connor yesterday as "what we need just now".

Given that he was never one for the treadmills in any case, infrequent appearances for Athlone will not have left the uncommunicative Gaynor in prime condition. But Gaynor has always had a touch of class, oozes skill and does have the knack of scoring goals, hence the interest of Cork and Shamrock Rovers earlier this season and, of late, Derry.

With Derek Swan having scored only once in 15 games, and Brian Mooney remaining their top scorer despite nine blank games, Bohemians will hope Gaynor still has the knack.