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League of Ireland takes shape for 2010
Derry City Football Club (DCFC) is poised to make a return to the League of Ireland after the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed club licences for the 2010 season.
The club was expelled from the league in November 2009 after the FAI said it had evidence of players being handed second, unofficial contracts, while DCFC was found to have breached terms of the Participation Agreement. DCFC has been granted a licence to compete in the First Division, although the Independent Club Licensing Committee has been criticised for deferring a decision with regards to Cork City Football Club (CCFC).
CCFC is currently fighting for its future after Ireland's High Court adjourned a bid by the Revenue Commissioners to have the club's parent company wound up over an outstanding tax bill. The FAI has already released fixtures for the 2010 season, which includes CCFC in the Premier Division even though the club has not been handed a licence pending the outcome of the court case.
Bray Wanderers Football Club, which has received a licence for the Premier Division, has been issued with a set of fixtures for the First Division in order to accommodate CCFC; a decision which Bray Wanderers has criticised. Bray Wanderers' general manager Jack O'Neill said: "We are absolutely dismayed that the League of Ireland has issued a set of fixtures which places Cork City, who currently have no licence to play in the League of Ireland for the coming season in the Premier Division, while Bray Wanderers who obtained a Premier Division licence have been place in the First Division."
A High Court decision is expected on CCFC's future on 22 February.