Top Mayo club successfully defend FAI Junior Cup re-appeal

Castlebar Celtic have successfully navigated the latest twist in their protracted battle to overturn a 3-0 loss to Villa FC, potentially securing their place in the FAI Junior Cup quarter-finals after winning a re-appeal.

The Elverys Sport Super League champion’s pursuit of justice came after their initial appeal was upheld, only for Waterford’s Villa FC to challenge that decision with a second appeal to the FAI.

However, reports emerging suggest that Villa's efforts have now been dismissed, ending their hopes of reinstatement – at least for now.

This ruling means Celtic are back in the driver’s seat, with Galway heavyweights Salthill Devon waiting in the wings for a quarter-final showdown in one of Irish football’s most prestigious grassroots competitions.

The decision may not spell the end of the saga, though.

There is growing speculation that Villa FC, the former FAI Junior Cup champions, may escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which holds jurisdiction in Dublin as well as its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Whether the Waterford outfit decides to follow through on that potential legal avenue remains to be seen.

The hearing took place yesterday, at which Villa was represented by legal counsel.

The Villa appeal centred on the FAI's interpretation of the rule governing its playing season, rejecting Celtic's claims that they (Villa) fielded an illegal player in defeating the Castlebar club on the grounds that he had played in the FAI Senior Cup during the same playing season.