McGuinness says domestic aces want four-week spell away from their clubs tracking their fitness

LEAGUE OF IRELAND players want a four-week blackout every year where their fitness activity is not tracked by clubs.

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

It comes on the back of a PFA Ireland survey that found 95% of players in the league want the mid-season break to continue.

Shelbourne manager Damien Duff (inset, top) has been critical of the two-week suspension of play - although one of those weeks was for the international window.

Ahead of the May 31 final round of matches before the pause, he labelled the break ‘amateurish’ and ‘a week on the gargle’.

This week, Duff appeared to row back slightly and while he felt it was ‘strange’ to have a break, he admitted it had come ‘at the right time’ for his team.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley (inset, below) said the break should stay as it benefits players in the long run, but he would like the overall season extended instead.