Squad training to start at end of month

FILIPPO Giovagnoli has confirmed that Dundalk will return to pre-season training at the end of the month as they work towards an expected March 19th start date for the new League of Ireland season.

The Lilywhites had originally been due to return to

Oriel Park this week but this was pushed back over Christmas when the start date for the league was also changed.

While

Giovagnoli is aware there could be further delays to the season due to the large number of coronavirus cases throughout the country at present, he said it was important that the club get the show back on the road as soon as possible.

‘We’ll be back at the end of the month,’ he said.

‘I don’t know what is going to happen with the league but, as of now, I think the league is due to start on March 19th. Maybe they’ll move it further out, but we have to plan for that.

‘I understand it’s not easy at the moment, but it is important that we can train and spend time together. There will be many new players that will need to settle in, so the more time we have the better. I’m always happy when I have time to prepare. I need to do everything in detail.

‘At some point we have to start. Life has to go ahead and we can’t be put off getting a player because he has to do 14 days of quarantine maybe. We have to do everything possible to stick to our plan.’

Giovagnoli also expressed the hope that sooner rather than later he would get to experience his first match in charge in a packed-out Oriel Park.

‘I can’t wait for that,’ he said.

‘I’ve watched videos on YouTube and I can’t wait to be there in that kind of atmosphere because I’m the kind of coach who likes to be with the fans to celebrate with them when you win or score a goal.

‘I’m really emotional and I missed that last year. I think it’s a big factor at Oriel Park

An empty feeling at Oriel Park last year.