Fixtures added by government to test event list

Shamrock Rovers' Graham Burke clashes with Sligo Rovers' Greg Bolger

Shamrock Rovers' Graham Burke clashes with Sligo Rovers' Greg Bolger Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

The government have added four football fixtures to the schedule of test events that will mean larger attendances allowed than those current limits that have been set due to COVID-19 considerations. 

For Shamrock Rovers it will mean they will have 1,500 at their European game next week. The Hoops have played their last three home games under test arrangements with a capacity for each game in Tallaght Stadium of 1,000 fans.

While the government set Sligo's UEFA Conference League home leg against Icelandic side FH as a test event with a 1,000 capacity, the match will only have 400 fans at the Showgrounds. The club noted on twitter that "Following consultations with relevant bodies, the permitted capacity remains at 400 in order to comply with distancing, as per guidelines set by HSE/FAI."

The government announcement on Tuesday is in addition to the previously noted 6,000 capacity for Bohemians’ UEFA Conference clash with Stjarnan which will take place in the Aviva Stadium (see here).

Cork City’s First Division game this Friday against Bray Wanderers will have 600 in attendance. While the Premier Division game between St. Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United on July 16th has also been given test event status allowing 1,000 fans to attend Richmond Park.

Last weekend, government changes set grounds with capacities greater than 5,000 with a limit of 500 fans with only 200 supporters allowed for venues with a lower capacity – so these ‘test events’ will be welcome news for those clubs involved who want to maximise the number of supporters inside their stadia to cheer on their team.

Shamrock Rovers begin their Champions League campaign in Slovakia this Wednesday and their second leg against Slovan Bratislava in Tallaght Stadium will be played on Tuesday 13th July in front of a 1,500 capacity. 

UEFA have banned away fans from attending European ties across the Champions League, Europa League and new Conference League qualifiers and play-off rounds with away spectators set to return for the group stages.

Article revised to reflect update on set COVID-19 capacity for the Showgrounds.



    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile