Healy rules out legal route

DERRY CITY manager Felix Healy has abandoned plans to appeal to the High Court over the suspension and fine imposed on him by the FAI in the aftermath of the Bohemians game. He has agreed instead to have his appeal against the penalty reviewed by an FAI arbitration panel.

Healy was given an 11 month suspension and fined £500 in the wake of an acrimonious league tie. His decision to have the matter dealt with by the association will be welcomed at Merrion Square. No date has been set for the hearing.

Brian Kerr has recruited the services of his former St Patrick's Athletic colleague Noel O'Reilly for the Irish under 16 team's forthcoming trip to Porto where they will play in an international Youths tournament.

O'Reilly, who was involved with Kerr and the Irish underage set up during Liam Tuohy's time in charge in the 80s, will travel with the panel to Portugal where they play France, the hosts and Russia, on the 26th, 27th and 29th of this month respectively.

At senior level, meanwhile, Pat Devlin has named his National League panel for the St Patrick's Day game against the Irish B team. The return of Dave Header son, who was unavailable for the trip to Wales due to work commitments, is the only change in the squad. However, Derry's Peter Hutton is likely to withdraw due to an injury picked up during Sunday's Cup quarter final win over Cork.