Efforts to resume the season will intensify tomorrow when clubs and FAI chiefs meet in the afternoon.
Clubs in both divisions have been in the dark since Friday’s announcement that the FAI will share €40 million worth of Government aid with the GAA and IRFU.
If some of that ends up in the League of Ireland restart pot - and a season format is agreed - clubs remain hopeful of a July 31 resumption.
With a return to action in the offing, Cork City hit the training ground today for the first time since lockdown.
Rebels boss Neale Fenn said: “We’re still not sure if we’re back on July 31 but we couldn’t hold off any longer.
“We planned to return to training on June 29 as we initially had August 14 in mind before that was brought forward.
“It’s not ideal but you can’t get left behind. I think our first game back will be against Bohs and they’ve been training for a month.
“We couldn’t wait around for people to make decisions for us. We had to get going even though it’s not ideal preparation with such short notice.”
City had four players - Kyron Stabana (Wimbledon), Joe Redmond (Birmingham City),
Deshane Dalling (QPR) and Joseph Olowu (Arsenal) - on loan earlier in the season.
And Fenn said: “The hope is that two of them will return. I can’t say who yet as it’s not done and we’re still talking to the clubs."
As it stands, anyone entering the country has to self isolate for two weeks but the PFAI has asked the FAI if returning players can be Covid tested twice in four days instead.
This evening, the State appointed ‘Aviation Recovery’ taskforce urged the Government to scrap the quarantine rule by July 1.
But Fenn - a title winner with the Rebels in his playing days - was just relieved to be back on the training ground this morning.
Fenn added: “I’ve never been more happy to be standing in the rain! It was great to be out there.
“It was good to see the boys and see that they have all returned so fit. It was only a light day and we’re easing our way back into it.
“It’s been hard mentally for the players but they have been working hard and we’ll step it up from next week and then look at some friendlies before the season starts.”
