Darragh Leahy available for Waterford after appeal for wrongful dismissal upheld

Darragh Leahy will be available for Waterford's Men's SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash with Derry City on Friday after the club's appeal for wrongful dismissal was upheld.

The decision was reached by the independent appeal committee of the FAI.

The Blues were surprisingly knocked out of the Sports Direct FAI Cup on Friday evening by First Division side Athlone Town at the Regional Sports Centre in a game that took extra-time to separate the sides.

"Waterford FC welcome today's decision from an Independent Appeal Committee of the FAI for Darragh Leahy's appeal following his red card in Friday's fixture v Athlone Town," the club said in a statement.

The incident happened shortly before half-time with referee David Dunne showing Leahy a straight red card after an incident in the box.

There were no appeals from any Athlone players with replays suggesting that there was no contact with the face or head of any of the visiting players.

Manager Keith Long was also sent off late in the contest after reacting strongly when it appeared that Waterford had bundled home a late winner, only for it not to be given.

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