Dundalk boss Vinny Perth hopes this week is not a ‘false dawn’ for the league.
The champions were collectively back on the training ground today for the first time since lockdown in March.
And so too were Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Derry City.
On Thursday, the FAI is due to present a financial package to clubs that it hopes will secure a return to play.
Perth told Mirror Sport: “As a league, we have no date for a return to play and that’s a big problem. It would be embarrassing if we allowed it to just slip away.
“It’s concerning that we don’t have a goal to aim for and we may not have football back in this country.
“It’s a big week and I understand why some clubs are concerned. It’s a very difficult situation.
“You’re hearing noises that some fans could be at games by the end of the summer, but who knows. You just hope this week is not a false dawn.”
Dundalk had two independent Covid officers from the FAI present at Oriel Park today to oversee their return to the training ground.
And Perth added: “We trained in two groups of 10 and the goalkeepers did their own. But we’ll ease into it and train on alternate days this week.
“The players have been off for the last 12 weeks and for roughly five of the last eight months when you factor in the off season. We don’t want to rush things.
"But it's not like the normal off season either where lads have been away to Las Vegas, Santa Ponsa or wherever they go these days. They're in good shape."
Bohs trained at Dalymount Park this evening and Gypsies boss Keith Long said: “We’re delighted to be back and we had the team in two groups.
“It's a real positive step forward to a return to football. It's a significant step in that process. Hopefully we can kick-start our season again.”
And Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley said: “It’s great to be back on the training ground. Everyone missed it.
“We worked in groups of five. They came in, got tested for Covid in the hall and had their temperature taken.
“Before that, they filled out a survey to make sure they're okay before they leave home. Then they do their weigh-ins, get their GPS and then it’s up to the pitch to start.”
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