After being denied a testimonial planned for two weeks ago, Bohemians have organised a tribute match for club captain and assistant manager Owen Heary.
Heary played the last season and a half of his career on an amateur contract, retiring to concentrate on coaching halfway through this season. To honour a defender whose career highlights include seven league titles and two FAI Cups, Bohs hoped to play a testimonial against a Manchester United XI.
However, the FAI refused permission for the game, claiming that Heary was an amateur player, according to the Herald, since FAI rules prevent amateur players from being awarded testimonial games - despite Heary playing much of his career as a professional.
On Wednesday, Bohs announced that permission had eventually been granted for a Bohemians XI to play a Shelbourne XI on 17 November, with Heary having played for Shels for nine years before joining Bohs in 2007.
Plans for a tribute match for #Bohs captain & asst boss Owen Heary announced http://t.co/0eAuA8EztY #loi @shelsfc pic.twitter.com/o3AdGQ3cIx
— Bohemian FC (@bfcdublin) October 16, 2013
