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The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) are set to investigate this weekend’s League of Ireland First Division match between Cobh Ramblers vs Limerick FC in relation to suspicious betting.
A 3-2 victory for underdogs Limerick has been placed under scrutiny with regards to betting activity witnessed on a market that is reported to have attracted ‘significant volume’ for an encounter that usually holds little punter interest.
Match reports detail that favourites Cobh Ramblers went 2-0 down in the first half of the game. The Cork side would level the match before losing 3-2, conceding two penalties.
The Times reports that Paddy Power and bet365 had shut down wagering on the football market shortly before Limerick’s opening goal, a rare measure undertaken by bookmakers.
Adding further concerns for Irish football integrity, the FAI will investigate a 19 April match between Limerick and Shelbourne, which is reported to have attracted a ‘major gamble’ on a Shelbourne win (finished 2-0 to Shelbourne).
Reacting to reports, Cobh Ramblers manager Stephen Henderson told Irish media that the club would help the FAI with any investigation.
“We are just a group of volunteers trying to run a club,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of work over the past four years and we don’t want that to be damaged by anything.”
