United arbitration hearing next Tuesday

The Sky Blues are taking their case to an Independent Arbitration Panel after Newry City won their appeal that United midfielder Alan Davidson was ineligible to play in Ballymena’s 2-1 quarter-final win.

That decision – taken by the IFA’s Appeals Board – was totally at odds with the ruling of the IFA’s Challenge Cup committee when they dismissed Newry’s original protest, stating – with the benefit of advice from the governing body own legal team – that the player WAS eligible.

It has led to the postponement of the Newry v Linfield semi-final tie – which had been due to be played this weekend – until the outcome of the arbitration panel’s findings is known.

Ballymena officials are hopeful that the hearing - which will take place in front of a three-person panel appointed by the IFA, but who have no connection with football - will be heard as soon as possible, even by the end of this week.

Manager Glenn Ferguson admits it has been a rollercoaster ride for the players.

“It’s been tough because one week you’re in and one week you’re out.

“One week the boys are buzzing, the next you’re trying to lift them.

“This week I told the players not to focus on it but to let whoever is dealing with it deal with it.

“We told the players to forget about it at the weekend and they did that but I know deep down they’re thinking about it – I know personally I am.

“We want to try and get it resolved in our favour but until that happens, it’s a matter of keeping the players focused.

“Our legal people are confident they have a very good case and hopefully it will come out in our favour,” added Ferguson.