Byrne case dropped by Drogheda

LEAGUE OF IRELAND:ON A day when Drogheda United officials reached an agreement with players that ensured tonight's last game of the season against St Patrick's Athletic will go ahead, it was confirmed the club has also dropped its disciplinary case against former captain Stuart Byrne.

United had sought to impose a fine of two weeks' wages on the midfielder, who was alleged to have committed a number of breaches of discipline. However, at a meeting to consider an appeal by the player, who has always protested his innocence, the club revealed it would not be pursuing the matter.

The 32-year-old, though, is not expected to be involved in tonight's game after which he will be out of contract and so having been a key figure through the most successful spell in the club's history, he, like many of United's other leading players, looks certain to move on.

Club chairman Vincent Hoey, meanwhile, spoke yesterday of the "terrific stress and strain", he has suffered in the weeks since United entered examinership. Commenting after a meeting with players at which they had agreed to go ahead with this evening's game, Hoey said he was "very embarrassed to see them (the players) in the position they are in".

The strike action had been threatened after players received €200 last week rather than one third of their wages as had been agreed when the club entered examinership.

After the meeting the players' representative, Shane Robinson, said the squad would honour its commitments to the club. Both men called on supporters to turn out in large numbers for United's last game of the campaign.

St Patrick's Athletic, meanwhile, are expected to confirm today that Gary Dempsey is to be fined for betting against the club recently but that they will not be taking any further action. The FAI has yet to decide what action it might take.

Owen Heary has been named as the Eircom/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Player of the Month for October.

"It's an individual award and it's always nice to get them but it's a bit baffling to get it when we lose a game!" said the 32-year-old right back with a grin upon hearing the news.

"It's not about me, though, it's about the team as a whole. We are in the final of the FAI Cup and we won the league so it's so far, so good.

"I really don't think any one player in our team has stood out all year. Maybe that's why we haven't won more player-of-the-month awards."

Heary has been one of the title winners' most consistent performers this season but he insists there have been a few others who might have had the recognition.

"Gary Deegan has been immense since joining and Brian Murphy has been incredible in goal. As a defender, it's great knowing you have someone of his quality playing at the top of his game supporting you."