The biggest factor is player safety - Greg Bolger

When the League of Ireland does return, it could well be behind closed doors with the FAI, the clubs and PFAI discussing this possibility in a recent working paper.

Games played in the Aviva or regional hubs are potentially on the cards - helping to reduce the risk and financial costs in preparing stadia for matches in a COVID-19 scenario.

The last Premier Division game played in Tallaght Stadium had a record league crowd for the venue, with 7,522 watching  Shamrock Rovers play Dundalk in front of the live RTÉ TV cameras. The next league game in the stadium could well be played in front of no fans, with supporters potentially watching over a live stream.

Talking to Shamrock Rovers TV, Hoops midfielder Greg Bolger cannot wait to get back playing and he will be happy to return to the pitch – even in an empty stadium – once it is deemed safe to do so.

“I’m mad to get back playing, regardless whether it is behind closed doors or not,” said Bolger. “The biggest factor is player safety and whatever way they can do that, you have to look to see if it is possible. 

“Personally, and talking to some of the other lads, we are itching to get back but at the same time it is up to Leo (Varadkar) as to when he lifts restrictions. I would have no problems, once it is safe for the players and management.”

Bolger, like all the players around the league, is trying to keep his fitness levels up and before the return to matches, a mini pre-season awaits.

“Not many footballers like pre-season, but I’d love a pre-season now the way things have developed. We will have to do a few weeks before we get back (to matches). We are just hoping in the next few weeks, we get the shout and get a date for getting back. 

“That is the hard thing, as if we knew a date, we could be building up towards that. We are doing fitness zoom classes with Darren Dillon our fitness coach. They have been really good and it keeps us ticking over.

“My missus is into her fitness and plays camogie so I’m not on my own. We are out doing our runs together and that helps. We have a routine. We do exercises in the morning or evening. Walks or runs in the afternoon.”

For lockdown viewing, Bolger’s Netflix recommendation is sports related as he is watching the Chicago Bulls ‘The Last Dance’ documentary series but that isn’t his only sports viewing.

Shamrock Rovers use hudl for their video analysis. So rather than watch old Republic of Ireland games on TG4, he has been catching up on recent Rovers matches.

 “We have loads of games on hudl to watch back. The gaffer (Stephen Bradley) has put a few pointers on some of the games, highlighting one or two things that you should have been doing here and there on the pitch. So that is good. I’ve been watching a good few of them.”

Fearless comes to mind when playing at/for UCD.. All top lads great times and not a bad group of players either @UCDAFChttps://t.co/SqpXd4v3dc

— Greg Bolger (@Greggyb6) May 12, 2020