Listen: Tommy Barrett unimpressed by LOI Covid Guidelines

Tommy Barrett joined Sporting Limerick’s Adrian Finnin to look ahead to this Friday’s SSE Airtricity League First Division clash between Treaty United and Cabinteely at Stradbrook.

Treaty are coming in off the back of an impressive 1-0 win against Athlone last weekend and have lost just once in their first eight games this season.

Covid-19 has already had a significant impact on the League of Ireland this season. Waterford were forced to field their U19s team two weeks ago and then had to forfeit against Sligo last weekend. Friday’s opponents Cabinteely also had to concede their game against Galway earlier in the season due to a positive Coronavirus test.

Asked whether he is pleased by the Covid guidleines put in place by the league, Barrett’s answer was emphatic.

“No,” said the 41 year-old. “Because we can’t play our 19s, our 19s weren’t signed in time so we have to give a walkover if something like that happens to us. For me, that’s ridiculous, it’s unfair.

“We couldn’t sign our 19s on a dual form because it was too late so if we get any Covid – and our players have been excellent and done everything right – through no fault of our own, we have to give a walkover. That’s just the way it is and that’s giving teams a huge advantage.

“Look, if we were allowed played the 19s I’d play them. It wouldn’t bother me, we’d just play them, give them a game, it would be good for them, good exposure to this level. But now we’re told we can’t play our 19s because they were signed which for me doesn’t make any sense.