By Cathal Dervan

Celtic captain Neil Lennon has apologized to Irish youngster Aiden McGeady after an unsightly row between the pair at the end of Sunday’s 2-1 win at Dunfermline.

Substitute Evander Sno had to separate the pair as Lennon lost the head following a late, late goal for the home side.

The goal from Pars midfielder Stephen Simmons in the final seconds sparked off a confrontation between Lennon and keeper Artur Boruc, and then the Celtic captain and McGeady at the final whistle.

“I felt we took our foot off the pedal at 2-0 and, instead of getting a few more goals -- getting three or four -- we found ourselves conceding. Fortunately enough, there wasn’t time for Dunfermline to get another or we could have had a rough ride,” Lennon said.

“Artur was unhappy -- as goalkeepers usually are -- and Aiden and I had an altercation, an exchange of views. Maybe I over-reacted a wee bit but we sorted it out in the dressingroom afterwards and that’s the end of it.

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say I apologized to him. I didn’t see him on Monday but, when I see him at training next I probably will.”

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan brushed off talk of a crisis after the spats between Lennon and both Boruc and McGeady. “I will need to think about that fining them but if your kids misbehave do you take money off them or do you expect better from them?” Strachan asked.

“To players who have got a few bob, does money make any difference? I think you are asking for a standard. I will have a word with the lads. It will not be a slamming or a blasting, but I will tell them that they have a duty as footballers to conduct themselves in a manner that is right for Celtic or any club.

“The reason it happened is quite simple. It’s called fear. Lennon is scared of getting beat and of losing goals, because if you do lose a goal then some other goals come behind it and if you get beat then other defeats come behind it.

“So you have to play with fear. The fear of getting beat is a great thing and Lenny has got that. And if everybody had that fear of getting beaten then I would have some side.”

Young Irish defender Darren O’Dea could lose out if Strachan signs Hearts skipper Stephen Pressley, now available on a free transfer after he was released by the Edinburgh club, but O’Dea impressed on his full league debut against Dunfermline last Sunday and could face Rangers this weekend.

The Ireland under-19 international said, “It will obviously be a big week for me but you have to show every day in training that you are worthy of a place. I will need to train all week, do as well as I can, and show that if I do get called upon then I will be ready to do a job.

“Obviously I feel that I’m ready, but that doesn’t mean that I will get my chance, so I will need to wait and see. It was great to make my first start in the league. I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t keep a clean sheet but the three points were the main thing. It sets everyone up nicely for next week.”

Manager Strachan has no qualms about playing the young Irishman at Ibrox and said, “I don’t have a fear for anyone in the squad. I thought Darren was good and I thought his decision-making was fantastic.

“He is still young for a center half because I think they take longer to learn their trade, so I’m really pleased for him.”

Celtic restored their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to 16 points at Dunfermline thanks to second half goals by McGeady and Maciej Zurawski, but the Bhoys missed out on the chance to top their Champions League group when they were thumped in Copenhagen last week and go in as second seeds when the draw for the knock-out stages is made on Friday.

Premier Moves

GALWAY United and Shamrock Rovers have been included in the eircom League of Ireland’s Premier Division for next season following the recommendations of the Independent Assessment Group which were approved by the FAI on Monday.

As a result both Waterford United and Dundalk must play in the First Division next season despite the fact that the Louth side beat the Blues in the promotion-relegation playoff at the end of the season.

Galway only finished third in the eircom First Division but have been included in the top tier at the expense of Dundalk, while Shamrock Rovers go up as champions.

The clubs affected, including an angry Dundalk, have criticized the points system for on field and off field criteria used to decide who plays in the top flight next season.

But former FAI official Des Casey, chairman of the Independent Assess-ment Group, maintained the process was a fair one despite the protests from Dundalk and Waterford.

Casey said, “I am satisfied that the non-scoring off the field process of assessment was carried out in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with the criteria and terms of reference laid down.

“The group’s collective evaluation was established on that basis and following individual meetings with all the clubs concerned.”

The full list of eircom Premier Division sides is for the 2007 season is -- Bohemians, Bray Wand-erers, Cork City, Derry City, Drogheda United, Galway United, Longford Town, Shamrock Rovers, Shel-bourne, Sligo Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic and UCD.

The nine remaining teams into the eircom First Division are -- Athlone Town, Cobh Ramblers, Dundalk, Finn Harps, Kildare County, Kilkenny City, Limerick, Monaghan United and Waterford United.

Fenlon’s New Job

PAT Fenlon was confirmed as Derry City’s new manager at a Brandywell press conference on Tuesday, just a week after he quit as boss of title winning Shelbourne.

Fenlon has agreed a three-year contract in Derry after five glory filled seasons at Tolka Park that saw the Reds win three league titles.

Fenlon’s move has been welcomed by eircom League pundit Pat Dolan. “It’s a difficult job to follow Stephen Kenny but it shows how much courage Pat Fenlon has. I don’t think people appreciate what a wonderful a job he did for Shelbourne,” Dolan said.

“Remember, Drogheda were a very good team this year, Cork had a very good team and of course Derry City were excellent, so this year was a really big championship to win. Derry haven’t won a league under Stephen Kenny, and he’s saying I’m going to win the league for them -– I think it’s a brilliant appointment for Derry City.

“If you look at the bench that Derry had in that FAI Cup final, with guys like Darren Kelly and Sean Hargan on the bench, they’ve a tremendous squad and I think they’ve got the right manager.

“It’s also great news for the eircom League because it would have been a big shame if Pat Fenlon had not been a manager in the league next season.”

UEFA have boosted Fenlon’s plans for next season with the news that the club will receive an ¤100,000 for their UEFA Cup run earlier this year.

All-Ireland Soccer?

DERRY City chief Jim Roddy has urged the soccer authorities north and south of the border to contemplate an All-Ireland league sooner rather than later as the Setanta Cup goes from strength to strength.

Roddy told the Belfast Telegraph, “We need to do the right thing for Irish football and the right thing to do in my opinion is to create a single league and put resources into making the stadia attractive for people to come to.

“There are 16 senior clubs in Northern Ireland and 22 in the eircom League which is too many on and island of this size. If we streamline that then the quality of the product on offer becomes better.”

Derry have been drawn against Linfield and Glentoran for the second successive season in the Setanta Cup.

Roddy added, “It is ironic that we will be playing Linfield and Glentoran again, but great for football in Ireland and Northern Ireland in particular,” he said. “The games last season in the Setanta Cup and the friendlies against the two clubs the season before that showed that football wants to move on.

“Sport in general and football in particular is a microcosm of what is happening in Northern Ireland at present and we will be looking forward to welcoming Linfield and Glentoran to the Brandywell again and look forward to two great spectacles.”

Keane Out

ROBBIE Keane will be out of action until the end of January after picking up a medial knee ligament injury after scoring the winning goal against Middlesbrough last week.

The Ireland captain said, “I am absolutely devastated. Ask the physios, I am the worst person to be around when I’m injured, I am not good at all. I just love playing games and this is a kick in the teeth for me.

“The doctor said it will be five to six weeks, probably leaning more towards six, with it being a ligament problem. I am just gutted and have just got to work hard to get back as soon as I can.

“I’ve never had anything like this before, but it is football for you. You have so many ups that when the downs come they really hit you. It was mixed emotions for me after the game, I was happy with the win for the team, but upset over the injury that forced me off.”

Keane should, however, be fit for Ireland’s trip to San Marino in February.

Kelly for Drogs?

FORMER Irish international Gary Kelly could move home to Drogheda United when his contract at Leeds expires in the summer according to Drogs boss Paul Doolin.

“I know it is Gary’s last year over there and that he has told people he is coming home. He may be 32 years old but he is certainly a fit fella. He was in the Championship Team of the Year last season. If he is coming home then of course we would be interested,” said Doolin.

Drogheda have already agreed deals with Shel-bourne duo Ollie Cahill and Stuart Byrne as Doolin strengthens his squad for next season.

Stokes Hot

SUNDERLAND are ready to battle it out with Celtic to sign Arsenal’s young Irish striker Anthony Stokes, currently on loan and on fire with Scottish side Falkirk.

“We’re interested in any quality player and I think the lad’s done very well,” said Sunderland boss Roy Keane. “I have seen him twice in the last month, against Celtic and Hearts, two of the better teams in Scotland, and he was a threat, making good runs.

“He’s direct, a real good talent and a very good, young, hungry player and he’s one we’re looking at. I might well step up my interest.”