Lilywhites are primed to take flight

THE Dundalk squad underwent another round of Covid-19 tests earlier this week as a precaution ahead of a UEFA-driven procedure before their Champions League tie in Hungary.

Officials at the Louth club are waiting on results that they hope will provide reassurance so it’s full steam ahead for their showdown with Slovenian champions Celje next Wednesday with the game moved to a neutral venue due to green list restrictions.

Football in Slovenia has been shut down for ten days due to positive tests at three clubs but Dundalk are working off the impression their game will definitely go ahead as planned.

They will travel by charter and operate in a strict travel bubble that has affected their regular plans, although Vinny Perth admits that the switch away from Slovenia has softened what was a tough draw.

“It is a strange time there is no doubt about it,” said Perth. “We’d normally go out on a Monday and acclimatise but we’re not allowed out of the hotel so we’re going out Tuesday. But beyond that, we’ve got a huge amount of prep to do.

“We were drawn away and it’s now at a neutral venue so it takes the sting out a little bit to be fair. But we’re in Champions League football so you get difficult games.”

The Lilywhites responded to two disappointing league results with an FAI Cup win over Waterford on Tuesday night and will face the same opponents in the league at Oriel Park tomorrow night before the focus switches to crucial European commitments.

They face a trip to Cobh in the cup round of 16 after a draw which threw up only one all-Premier tie with Shamrock Rovers hosting the Cork side that prevailed in a dramatic extra-time win over Longford.

Teams who get through this round face an extended season with the final three stages of the competition pencilled in for November after the league season ends.

FAI CUP Second Round: