St Pat's Ath v Derry City (Mon)

Gary Dempsey has admitted betting against St Pat's Athletic

Derry travel to Richmond Park to play a St Pat's side in crisis after midfielder Gary Dempsey was suspended for betting against his team.

Dempsey has admitted placing a 20 euro bet on Galway United to beat St Pat's, doubled with Manchester City to win.

He did not play in the 1-0 defeat to Galway and he lost the bet after City were beaten in England.

The Candystripes trail second-placed St Pat's by five points with just two matches remaining.

"I placed a 20 euro bet on my club to lose in a double on an occasion which I was not playing and in which I had no influence on the game," said former Dumfermline Athletic player Dempsey.

"I have never before or since placed a bet on my team to lose a game. The bet was in fact unsuccessful as the other team involved were beaten.

"I'm not aware and have never been made aware of any regulations that prohibit me from placing a bet on a match that I was not involved in.

"As far as I'm concerned this incident has been blown out of proportion and I am of course prepared to meet with club officials to sort this matter out.

"I apologise if my actions have caused distress to my team mates or my club."

The FAI said on Friday that it would launch an investigation into suspected irregular betting patterns surrounding recent St Pat's fixtures.

The FAI has written to the club and a number of bookmakers asking that they share any information they might have.