The resumption of domestic sport following the so-called circuit-breaker is likely to commence quietly on Monday with a handful of badminton league matches.

A lot of football clubs will be back into full training in readiness for the restart of matches on Saturday and Sunday, February 6 and 7.

But, with hockey and rugby both likely to wait a further week before resuming the regular competitions, one wonders if the IoMFA has been a little too keen to get going again instead of giving players time to train up and prepare for what in some cases will be their first game of football in very nearly two months.

The last full league programme was on December 12, but that only included three games in the Premier League (more in the other leagues).

The following week saw the FC Isle of Man versus Isle of Man FA XI at the Bowl, and the return to action on Saturday January 2 was washed out by icy weather.

The first real test of numbers could well be at Ramsey next Thursday evening where Northern Athletics Club is set to host the latest round of its winter road running series.

Earlier rounds had in excess of 300 competitors spread over two distances, with separate starts for male and female in each to cope with the numbers.

Local rugby is set to return on Saturday, February 13 when Vagabonds Hornets will face Ramsey B in the Manx Bowl-deciding final game. It will determine not only the winner but also the finishing order of the top three.

One week later on February 20 it’s the preliminary round of the Manx Cup.

Tennis returns at Albany next week (courts one and two only). Book courts online; court one has coaching priority.

Players are urged to observe revised procedures as stated by the chairman in an email sent out to members. Dates for monthly Tuesday club night tournaments will be announced shortly. Club sessions and junior coaching programmes remain suspended.