Cup draw throws up Bray-Bohs grudge match - January 9, 2001
The FAI Cup third-round draw has pitted together Bohemians and Bray Wanderers - the clubs at the centre of a bitter row which marred the final stages of last year's competition.
The two met in the 2000 semi-final. Bray were ordered to play without star striker Jason Byrne after Bohemians lodged an objection, claiming that the player was still under suspension.
Bray claimed that Byrne had served his one-match ban during a Leinster Senior Cup match against St. Francis played in the week before the semi-final.
But the FAI upheld Bohemians' objection, ruling that Bray had brought forward the LSC match specifically to purge Byrne's suspension. Bray were forced to play without Byrne and Bohemians went through to meet Shelbourne in the final.
Bray denied the charge. They said St. Francis asked for the refixture - and their position was recently vindicated when an independent arbiter awarded the Co. Wicklow club IR£30,000 in compensation.
Bray manager Pat Devlin said of yesterday's draw: "This is the perfect draw for us. It gives us the chance to set the record straight."
And his Bohemians opposite number, Roddy Collins, said: "I hope this will give Pat the chance to bury the dæmons in his head."