Jack Byrne wants Irish football to put smiles on people's faces by returning - but only when it's safe to do so.
Shamrock Rovers and Ireland midfielder Byrne was among the players and staff from four clubs - Rovers, Dundalk, Bohemians and Derry City - who were tested for Covid-19 earlier today.
The process marks the start of Irish football's return to play strategy, with the four SSE Airtricity League clubs part of the pilot programme.
The clubs are preparing for a return to training on June 8 ahead of a tournament involving all four in preparation for competing in Europe. The results of the tests are due later this week and will determine if the clubs can proceed with that timeline.
"It was fine, we just got a little swab taken at the back of our throat and I think it was done in less than 20 seconds," Byrne said.
"So it was fine and look, we're all happy to be tested, and hopefully we'll all be back training soon."
Byrne, 24, is glad that the process is up and running after the coronavirus caused the league to be shuttered, with Rovers on top of the Premier Division table after only five matches played.
"Yeah look, I think it's good," the Dubliner told FAI TV.
"I think it's important for everybody in the country that football gets back and look, we're taking the necessary steps for that to happen, to get back when it's safe to do so.
"Everybody's in the same boat. I think everybody's missing their team-mates, missing their manager, missing Friday nights under the lights.
"But it is the circumstances we're in at the moment and we know that we have to do everything we can to stay safe at the moment.
"And when we're able to come back, make sure we're fit and ready to put smiles on people's faces again, playing football.
"It's so important that everybody stays safe at this moment in time. Football is such a big part of this country and we obviously want to get back playing, but we need to do it when it's right and when it's safe to do so.
"But I think we're obviously taking the measures that we need to come back - and hopefully soon - but we'll come back and it will be safe to do so, and hopefully it won't be too far away.
"But it will need to be safe and there can't be any risk involved in it."
The tests took place under the supervision of Dr Alan Byrne, the FAI's medical director, who is a member of the Government’s Return to Sport expert group and is overseeing the pilot programme for a safe return for football.
“Today is a significant day as we plot our return for all football in Ireland in a safe environment for players, staff, officials and volunteers,” said Dr Byrne.
“We must take slow and deliberate steps in this Covid-19 pandemic and testing of these four squads is crucial as we look to deliver this pathway to a safer return to football for all elements of our game.
“We have begun the process for players at all levels, not just for those tested today under the pilot programme.
"Once we start to analyse the results of these tests, we can move forward.
"We will test the players from these four clubs again before they return to training on June 8 and then again regularly when they're back on the training field.
“Everything we do now is designed to ensure that football can return for everyone as soon as it is safe and responsible.
"We owe that to all our players, from the elite players in the League of Ireland to the schoolboys and schoolgirls who want to get back on the pitch with their clubs but their health and safety must come first.
"This is the first step and a significant step in that process".
