Waterford FC is to field its under 19 squad in today's home fixture at the RSC against Drogheda FC.
In a statement released last night the club said two of the senior squad players were deemed close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19.
Although a 'wide testing programme' had yielded no positive tests, the decision was made to stand down the entire squad due to a 'public safety ethos'.
Rather than call off the game, the club, which is languishing at the bottom of the league, will give the game time to the Under-19s.
The squad will be familiar to interim manager Mike Geoghegan, who took charge earlier this week after the departure of Kevin Sheedy and Mike Newell after nine games in charge.
The head of the Waterford FC Academy will be at the helm until new management is found.
Speaking to WLR earlier this week he said: “I’d be very positive about football here. I know people sometimes say, ‘Oh the club is this and the club is that’. The club has everything it needs to be successful.”
Nevertheless the recent turmoil at the club has caused concern for many Blues fans and no doubt they will be watching what happens tonight at the RSC with much interest.
WLR will be broadcasting the game live thanks to McConnell's Toyota Waterford. Kick off is at 6 and match coverage will begin at 5.45 with Ray Scott and Matt Keane calling the action.
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) May 7, 2021
League
Last night in the SSE Airtricity Premier league, a fourth goal of the season from Jordan Gibson secured a first win in four games for Sligo Rovers on Friday night.
Liam Buckley’s side survived the sending off of Garry Buckley to beat Dundalk 1-0 at Oriel Park.
The win moves Sligo to within four points of leaders Shamrock Rovers, but with a game more played.
An injury time strike from James Akintunde salvaged a 1-1 draw for Derry City at home to Longford Town.
(additional reporting by James Cox)
