RED HANDED
FAI reveal decision after Drogheda Utd launch appeal against Jack Keaney red card during defeat to Shamrock Rovers
While Drogheda will be without Keaney due to suspension, Shamrock Rovers added yet another name to their injury list
THE FAI have upheld the red card shown to Jack Keaney during Drogheda Utd's loss to Shamrock Rovers.
Keaney was given his marching orders after being adjudged to have brought down Johnny Kenny as he was bearing down on goal.
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The Hoops were leading 3-0 at the time thanks to goals from Kenny, Aaron Greene, and Darragh Burns, while Josh Honohan added a fourth.
However, television replays were unclear as to whether the Drogs defender tripped Kenny, or whether the Rovers man stumbled.
Speaking afterwards, Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty confirmed the club's intention to appeal.
He said: “It’s not a foul. It’s awful. I spoke to the referee afterwards and he told me it’s a clear foul…not what I saw it wasn’t.
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“I’d be a very disappointed in that decision. I’m not trying to deflect from the performance or the result, but I just can’t see it.
“Rob [Hennessy] is one of the best of the referees in the country. We all make mistakes, I make mistakes, players make mistakes, I think that’s a refereeing mistake.”
However, on Monday afternoon, an FAI independent appeal committee rejected the appeal.
In accordance with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations, Jack Keaney will now serve a one-match suspension.
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While Drogheda will be without Keaney due to suspension, Shamrock Rovers added yet another name to their injury list.
The Hoops went into the Drogheda game without nine regulars with Seán Hoare, Lee Grace, Neil Farrugia, Gary O’Neill, Markus Poom, Aaron McEneff, Jack Byrne, Graham Burke and Rory Gaffney all absent.
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Richie Towell then became the TENTH absentee after he limped out of the game and manager Stephen Bradley now awaits an update from his medical team on when he will be fit again.
But he revealed that Byrne, Poom and Hoare will be back training this week while Gaffney is also not too far away.
He said: "I am hoping to have another three back on Tuesday - Sean Hoare, Jack Byrne and Markus Poom.
“We will see how Rory is, he started on Friday but didn't feel good so we will check on him. We are getting there, the next two weeks we'll have the majority back.”