Ireland squad given go-ahead for crunch Slovakia trip after backroom team member's Covid case

The travelling party is limited to 45 members, including players

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny and assistant manager Damien Duff speak to players during a Republic of Ireland training session at Abbotstown on Tuesday. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Public health officials have given Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland squad and support staff the green light to fly to Bratislava for their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Slovakia after a member of the backroom team had tested positive for Covid-19.

Protocols were executed when the results were learned and contact tracing resulted in two more staff members restricting their movements. All three are asymptomatic. The two close contacts have returned negative tests, as have all players, management and other staff members in the team ‘bubble’.