Real superstars train in Ireland

By Shane Harrison BBC NI Dublin correspondent

Real Madrid are determined to conquer football markets around the world

It's been a busy summer for Real Madrid, what with picking up a Kaka here, a Ronaldo there and a few other footballing superstars.

But on Monday the team will arrive in Ireland for a 10-day visit and pre-season training.

Carton House, near Maynooth, in County Kildare, with its two golf courses and fishing will be the Real Madrid base.

With the weather in Spain too hot, the players, including Ronaldo, Benzema, Cassilas, Raul and Kaka - who is expected later in the week - will do their pre-season training in the relative cool of Ireland.

The hotel's general manager, David Webster, couldn't be happier.

"This is probably our first year as a training facility and we have the biggest football club in the world," he said.

"It's just a fantastic achievement for us to get them here. So, we're all very excited and very proud."

Real have taken 60 rooms; Spanish players, coaches, medical and backup staff don't share.

Juan Hernandez, a life-long club supporter from Malaga and the restaurant and bar manager, can barely conceal his excitement about the possibility of serving his idols.

"My favourite player is actually Spanish, Raul, the captain," he said. "But now with the summer signings I really like Kaka, as well. I think he's a very good team player."

The menus the club want include lots of pasta, lean meats and chicken.

Cathal Kavanagh, the executive chef, who has the job of feeding the players, said: "The Real Madrid players are, basically, looking for healthy, low-fat, high energy foods. This would involve a lot of carbohydrates, fresh fruit, juices and salads."

Brazilian Kaka will join up with the squad later in the week

The players will train three times a day including gym work.

Out on the pitches greenkeeper Darren Hayes is making sure the grass is short.

"We're dropping the height to 23 millimetres so that the pitch will be nice and fast for the Real Madrid players," he said. "They'll appreciate it. The ball will move fast and it should be good for them."

It's on the training pitch and at mealtimes that it's hoped the new players will bond - a chance, perhaps, for Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy to put their past differences at Manchester United behind them.

On Monday, 20 July Ronaldo, Benzema, and Kaka could make their Real Madrid debuts against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght in south west Dublin.

The home team's manager, Michael O'Neill, a former Northern Ireland international, has sais he won't be devising new tactics to counter the Madrid Galacticos.

"People who will come here will have paid good money for their tickets. The result is not important," he said.

"The important thing is that they get to see these great players on show; to get to see our lads showing what they're capable of against these great players and that it's an entertaining game for everyone concerned."

Meanwhile back at Carton House, the final preparations are being put in place for the arrival of the Madrid entourage on Monday.

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