Monday is D-Day for Shelbourne

League of Ireland Premier DivisionA decision on Shelbourne's participation in this season's League of Ireland Premier Division is now set to be made on Monday evening when the First Instance Committee of the FAI meet to discuss the club's latest submission on their financial position.

The association would make no comment yesterday on whether the reply provided to the committee's request for addition information included all that was required, while sources at the club said only that the major issues involved had been addressed in the letter.

Ollie Byrne, meanwhile, is reported to have told friends he wants to return to an active role at Tolka Park within a matter of months. The Shelbourne chief executive, who owns the vast majority of the club's shares, is out of hospital but is continuing to receive treatment for a serious illness after having undergone surgery.

His nephew Andy Byrne has been involved in intensive negotiations over the past few days regarding the future of the club and there have suggestions that former chairman Gary Brown might return to the position, at least on a temporary basis.

The return to an executive role by Ollie Byrne, however, would be likely to undermine any attempt by the club to secure the funding they currently require from Sports Council chairman Ossie Kilkenny and his business partners who have bought Shelbourne's Drumcondra home with a view to building on it if and when the club relocate.

Former Ireland international Gareth Farrelly has signed a two-year contract with Cork City five and a half months after parting company with Bohemians where he had been player-manager.

The 31 year-old, who played seven times for the Republic and had spells with Bolton Wanderers and Everton, had sought to re-establish himself at an English club after leaving Dalymount Park but had made just one appearance, as a substitute, for Blackpool since making the switch.

His arrival will be a considerable boost to City whose manager Damien Richardson, having already brought Liam Kearney back to Turner's Cross, is also hoping to add Colin Healy to his midfield.

With Danny Murphy and Alan Bennett both having completed cross-channel moves since the end of last season, however, the club need to reinforce their defence and Richardson hopes to make another couple of signings over the coming days.

Bohemians, meanwhile, have announced they will take on Scottish Premier League outfit Aberdeen in a friendly game at Dalymount Park next Friday night.