UCD deny breaking rules over Derry tie

UCD officials have denied claims that they are breaking league rules by refusing to play their game against Derry City, scheduled for this Sunday afternoon, tomorrow evening instead.

City approached the Dublin club about bringing the game forward a couple of weeks ago when Darren Kelly heard he had been called onto the Northern Ireland under-21 panel for Sunday's meeting with Malta.

"In addition to Kelly, Eddie McCallion is on the standby list and therefore it's possible that we will have to take the field without two influential players on Sunday," said Derry City director Jim Roddy yesterday.

Roddy said the club had attempted to invoke a league rule allowing them to force the change once they gave at least seven days' notice, but that this too has failed.

"We are amazed at the National League's decision. We have followed the proper procedures by informing UCD almost two weeks ago, yet the league has moved the goalposts and seems to be operating outside its own rule book," he said.

However UCD club secretary Brendan Dillon insisted yesterday they have heard nothing of any challenge to their original decision to play the game on Sunday as originally intended.

"We did receive a call asking us to bring it forward which we treated as a request. I then talked the matter over with Martin Moran, but we reluctantly came to the conclusion that we really couldn't help out because of the difficulty that many of our players would have with the travel arrangements midweek."

After months of negotiations a group of supporters have successfully taken control of Dundalk FC. New chairman Des Denning told the shareholders at Monday night's meeting that he saw this as a "new beginning".

Meanwhile, Aston Villa central defender Ugo Ehiogu has dropped a bombshell by refusing to commit his long-term future to the club. He has decided to see out the remaining two years of his contract - he would then be entitled to leave Villa for nothing under the Bosman Ruling.

West Ham striker Paul Kitson has joined promotion-chasing Charlton for the rest of the season. The 29-year-old former Newcastle marksman is eligible for tonight's Division One clash with Grimsby at The Valley.