Longford Town boss Daire Doyle has revealed he is still getting visits from the Garda at training sessions.
Town have been assigned elite status as a League of Ireland club, allowing them an exemption from Covid-19 level 5 restrictions as they begun training at the Trinity sports and leisure centre in Dublin.
Town’s first session of the season in January was interrupted by a Garda swoop as a number of residents reported a possible breach of restrictions.
“We’ve got letters done up for all the players so when they are stopped, they have the permission” explained Doyle.
“We’ve had three visits from the Guards at this stage” laughed Doyle. “Individual guards that were on patrol tended to just pop in and out, once we showed our documentation”.
“Trainings been going really well" explained Doyle, "the new players are settling in very well and it’s all steam, we’ve no injuries or niggles, it’s all steam ahead to the opener with Derry”.
Development’s during the week saw GAA games being suspended until after Easter, meaning that matches are now unlikely until May.
“The GAA are an amateur body, but the strides they’ve made over the last few years they're more or less professional in approach, I think that’s what surprised GAA people” explained Doyle.
“We’re in a lucky position being allowed play and train, but it’s a big chance for Longford Town and league of Ireland football, that we can raise our profile particularly in the media”.
