Rovers hoping to put Covid cases behind them
SHAMROCK ROVERS expect to have their full squad available for their next league game this day next week even though two more players have tested positive for Covid-19.
And it’s likely that League of Ireland clubs will be asked, but not instructed, by the FAI to see out the season without any more postponements related to the virus.
Last week Rovers were successful in an appeal to the FAI to have their next three games postponed after two players, Jack Byrne and Aaron Greene, tested positive for Covid-19.
The fact that six other players were deemed to be close contacts of Greene, and thus forced to isolate for 10 days, would have left Stephen Bradley without eight players for last Friday’s planned game at home to Derry City, where Graham Burke would also have been missing through suspension.
Rovers, who need just one win from their last four league games to secure the Premier Division title, have to play those four matches in a 13-day spell from next Wednesday.
Complication
The fact that two more players have tested positive is an added complication, but the unnamed duo will have completed their 10-day isolation spell next Monday and are eligible to rejoin the squad ahead of the Derry game two days later.
Under HSE rules, those who test positive can return to group training from isolation after 10 days while close contacts must isolate for 14 days, but due to the timing of the tests, Rovers should have all of their Covid-related cases free to train ahead of the Derry game and take part in the match which can confirm them as champions for 2020.
The league’s governing body, the National League Executive Committee, last week discussed adopting UEFA’s rule on postponements for Covid reasons, where teams are obliged to fulfil a fixture once they have 14 registered players available for the game.
The FAI board last night discussed introducing that rule into the league for the remainder of the season.
But, fearful of objections from clubs forced to play without Covidrelated absentees who could point out precedents where games were postponed, it’s thought the league will continue to assess Covid matters on a case by case basis and request clubs to see out the season.