Points woe for St Patrick's

Not properly registered 
St Patrick's received the penalty after it was discovered striker Charles Mbabazi Livingstone had played five matches without being properly registered.

St Patrick's demotion 
The Richmond Park club had been on course for the title, needing to win their remaining games to clinch it, but the punishment has demoted them to fifth place.

Shelbourne champions-elect 
The ruling leaves Shelbourne FC, who had been just two points clear of St Patrick's, as champions-elect. They lead nearest rivals Shamrock Rovers FC by seven points.

Breaching the rule 
FAI National League commissioner Roy Dooney announced the decision: "St Patrick's Athletic FC, in registering the player Charles Mbabazi Livingstone for the season 2001/02, only on 12 September 2001, while having played that player in the following games; against Galway United FC, Shelbourne, Derry City FC, University College Dublin FC and Cork City FC, clearly breached Rule 16(a)."

Hopes dashed 
St Patrick's had hoped to avoid the punishment, having successfully appealed against a nine-point penalty earlier in the season. The Dubliners were found to have played Paul Marney in three games while the English midfield player was not properly registered.