Galway United among League of Ireland clubs hoping to resume training on Monday

GALWAY United are hoping to return to training on Monday next, but it is dependant getting both the green light, and an improved support package from the FAI.

The FAI was due to hold a conference call with League of Ireland clubs yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) to discuss plans for the return of the 2020 domestic season, as well as the impact of last week’s announcement by the Government of a €70m support package for the return of sport.

Galway United Director, Jonathan Corbett, says offers of financial support packages have been made to all league clubs by the FAI, but they don’t come close to providing the level of support clubs need, both in terms of playing, and in preparing their grounds for a return to football.

That latter work includes training volunteers in relation to Covid-19, sanitising stations, the provision and erection of signage, and sanitising grounds such as dressing rooms and stands and other common areas.

“Alan Murphy and Johnny Glynn have been banging down the door, they’re hugely keen to get their squads back playing. I am going on a conference call with the FAI in 20 minutes, and I have another one scheduled for tomorrow, and we hope to have improved packages offered to all clubs, and if that goes to plan, hopefully there will be an announcement on Friday about the return of the league,” he said.

With Covid-19 restrictions being eased across the country, the return of sport is gathering pace, and even previous fears over games having to be played behind closed doors look like easing – for example, Basketball Ireland’s Return to Play Roadmap includes provision for the attendance of spectators at indoor competitive fixtures from the end of July.

The United board have been holding meetings on an almost daily basis in the past two weeks in relation to the return of the league, and Corbett says the consensus in the club is for a return to action, in front of fans, in Eamonn Deacy Park.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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