ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC have condemned the FAI National League and publicly withdrawn the club's support for the leadership of the association after their request to play the refixed Premier Division match between Cork City and Shelbourne on April 16th was rejected

This will give Shelbourne four days respite from their match with Athlone on April 12th, whereas Cork will have less that 48 hours rest from their trip to Derry on April 14th.

St Patrick's had proposed that both FAI Cup semi-finals should be played on Good Friday with both rescheduled league fixtures (including their own with Bohemians) on Monday April 15th.

"This decision questions the integrity of the FAI National League championship race and gives a clear and unfair advantage to Shelbourne FC," said the club's statement yesterday.