Glentoran Football Club is seeking legal advice after being thrown out of the Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup.
The Irish FA confirmed on Friday that Mick McDermott's side had been dismissed from the competition after midfielder Joe Crowe was found to have been ineligible for last Saturday's quarter-final win over Newry City.
It now means Newry have been reinstated and are scheduled to play Ballymena United in the semi-finals next month.
Read more: Glentoran FC thrown out of Irish Cup over Joe Crowe ineligibility
In a brief statement posted on their website, the Glens said they noted the decision of the Irish FA and would now seek legal advice before deciding on what action to take.
The statement read: "Glentoran Football Club notes the decision of the Irish Football Association to reinstate Newry City to the semi-final of the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup.
"While the club respects the Challenge Cup Committee, Glentoran will now seek legal advice on this decision and will proceed accordingly in the appeals process."
It emerged after last Saturday's quarter-finals that midfielder Crowe had not successfully completed a three-match suspension after picking up a ban playing for Glentoran Reserves.
It was reported that the reserves had played three games since Crowe picked up the suspension, but one was in the Intermediate Cup which is a competition the 23-year-old is not eligible for.
Announcing the club's expulsion from this season's competition, the IFA said said in a statement: "Glentoran FC have been dismissed from the Samuel Gelston’s Irish Cup due to the club fielding an ineligible player, Joe Crowe, in their quarter-final tie against Newry City AFC on Saturday 5 March.
"Following a protest from Newry City AFC regarding the eligibility of Crowe to participate in the above fixture, the Irish FA Challenge Cup Committee met last night, Thursday 10 March, and upheld that protest.
"Glentoran FC have the right of appeal in accordance with Article 14 of the IFA Articles of Association.
"Newry City AFC have now been reinstated to the competition and will play Ballymena United in the semi-finals (subject to any appeal)."
Earlier this week manager Mick McDermott said the club would robustly defend itself over the eligibility dispute.
He said on Tuesday night: "We will defend ourselves but we are waiting to hear from the authorities. Whatever is thrown our way we have no doubt we will defend ourselves.
"This is Glentoran Football Club. We are not going to go into the darkness quietly.
"If it is proven we have done something wrong, you take your medicine and move on. There's nothing underhand that is happening here.
"But if we have to defend ourselves until the end of time, we will. We will do it, no doubt about it."
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