ST JAMES'S Gate's future ink the National League First Division is in serious doubt after their scheduled League Cup meeting with Bohemians this evening was postponed yesterday.
Earlier they had failed to convince National League officials of their viability after been given a three day reprieve when their plight was discussed at a meeting of the Management Committee last Monday.
They have now been given until next Monday to present their plans for the new season but opinion at the league's headquarters at Merrion Square suggests there is now little hope of preserving the club's senior status.
The club's troubles follow the withdrawal of their sponsors, Premier Computers, who subsidised the club in a £150,000 deal last season.
Premier Computers have since acquired the ownership of Shamrock Rovers, setting in train a sequence of events which led to yesterday's developments.
Guinness, the club's traditional sponsors, withdrew their subvention last season but it is understood to have been far below the level required to sustain them in senior competition.
Mick Byrne, appointed manager during the close season, resigned after just two games on the grounds that the club did not have the resources to fund his team building plans. And last. Monday, a number of players sought to have their registrations cancelled by the National League after alleging breach of contract.
Founded in 1902, St James's Gate is one of Ireland's oldest clubs and won the inaugural Irish Free State (National League) championship in 1922. Their membership lapsed in 1928 and after returning for a brief period, they resigned in the 1943/44 season. They were readmitted to membership a a replacement for Newcastle West in 1990.
This evening's League Cup programme marks the return to Cork City's colours of the resourceful Philip Long. After a spell with Cobh Ramblers, Long makes his reappearance against Waterford in a team which features Damien O'Connell, a close season signing from Avondale Utd, as front line partner for John Caulfield.
St Patrick's Athletic face into a difficult assignment against Shamrock Rovers without John McDonnell, Mick Moody and Trevor Crolly, all serving suspensions.
McDonnell's ban was originally due to become operative for the replay of the FAI Cup final against Shelbourne in May but after an appeal by the club it was shelved until the start of the current campaign.
Rovers welcome back Mark Reid after suspension and it will cushion the probable loss of Ray Carolan who is unlikely to play after damaging an ankle.
Dundalk are at home to Monaghan United and Galway United, even without their experienced full back, Peter Carpenter, will be expected to beat Athlone Town in the remaining game at Terryland Park.
Owen Heary has been rewarded for some convincing performances for Home Farm Everton last season, with a place in the Republic of Ireland under 21 squad for the opening game in the European championship against Macedonia on October 8th.
There are two other home based players in the squad of Michael Dempsey, Bohemians reserve goalkeeper and the Cork City midfeilder Gareth Cronin.
A number of the squad among them Willie Boland, Keith O'Halloran, Declan Perkins and, Billy Woods have already sampled international football at Under 21 level.
