Boss Mick McCarthy says Carton House, where the Blues are spending the week, is the ideal place for his squad to train and bond ahead of the 2013/14 campaign. The Town manager has previously taken his Wolves squads to the County Kildare spa and golf hotel.

McCarthy told the club site: “The facilities at Carton House are first class and being here for the week gives the players that time to work hard but also enjoy a bit of banter and fun along the way. It's ideal.

“The players came back from their break in great shape. That’s the way it seems to be nowadays, with players returning fitter and fitter, and it’s just a case of moving them on from there.

“I’m not a fan at all of pre-season. I didn’t like it as a player and I don’t like it as a manager but it’s a necessary evil to get everyone ready for when the real stuff matters in August.”

After flying to Ireland on Monday morning, the squad underwent a fitness session prior to some ball-work.

Circuit training followed this morning, then running sessions and further ball-work this afternoon.

On Wednesday the players will train in the morning before playing golf in the afternoon, Carton House having hosted last week’s Irish Open.

The Blues play their one friendly while in Ireland against Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday afternoon (KO 5pm).

Photo: Action Images

Jimmys_Law added 21:23 - Jul 2 Feel sorry for the players who don't like golf nowadays. It seems like that's the only thing footballers do beside playing football.
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arc added 21:40 - Jul 2 If it's true that the players are coming back fitter (and therefore presumably looking after themselves better over the summer), then I wonder if pre-season needs to be so long. Why not let them all (and us all!) have another week or two off, and then they might be less jaded come the Spring. Just a thought.
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bontcho added 22:15 - Jul 2 Was thinking that myself Jimmys_Law. I wonder what would happen if someone said I hate golf?!? Not great for team bonding not to show I guess. They should do something like Superstars TV programme. At least they'd get a variety of sports!
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Warkys_Tash added 23:20 - Jul 2 Lets hope McCarthy's idea of 'good training facilities' and 'an ideal base' have improved somewhat since 2002, when Roy wasn't too Keane on the hard training pitch, otherwise the players will be having a miserable time - or maybe it just wasn't Carrington..lol.
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warwickblue added 23:22 - Jul 2 Come on Jimmys -you must be able to think of a couple of other things that footballers do when they're not playing footy!
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Sindre94 added 03:21 - Jul 3 Cant wait for the new season to start. See you all at Reading and Stevenage!
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floridaboy added 06:41 - Jul 3 Don't like golf? Twitter and gambling!
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Wickets added 07:39 - Jul 3 arc good idea but i seem to remember Jim Magilton came up with the same idea in his first spell in management, we lost the first 4 games!!
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bluepeter added 10:00 - Jul 3 Jimmyslaw, there is always gambling!
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ArnieMsBigToe added 11:17 - Jul 3 Hi Phil TWTD. I apologise for this not being about "ideal training base", but I need to know have you heard anything about McGoldrick signing? I would've normally messaged you about this, but I reckon that I am not the only fan who is concerned.
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Wickets added 12:41 - Jul 3 Dont think there is a problem with McGoldrick, as i remember it he has signed a pre contract agreement so we have been paying his wages although he couldnt play. Dont think he could get out of that even if he wanted to. Think i'm right.
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Wickets added 12:51 - Jul 3 Or maybe not, he comes from another english club.
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Eireannach_gorm added 12:55 - Jul 3 @ Warkys_tash - Mick didn't choose Siapan, the FAI did. Carton house has probably the best sport training facilities for a hotel in Ireland. The Republic of Ireland soccer train there between 'double headers'. The Lions also trained there before going to Australia. Check it out http://www.cartonhouse.com/upload/docs/Sports-Training-Brochure.pdf Its also a really nice Hotel

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runningout added 13:26 - Jul 3 very plush..
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MickMillsTash added 13:46 - Jul 3 Surely bonding translates in English to drinking which leads to the question Who is the best drinker in the squad? Taylor surely can't be allowed to booze near golf clubs (risk a repeat of Bellamy vs Riise).
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Dublinbeamer added 15:57 - Jul 3 I'm hearing that we are actually playing the Shelbourne under 19 team on Saturday, not the first team. Can you confirm Phil?
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Eireannach_gorm added 17:28 - Jul 3 Can hardly be worse then their senior team. http://www.wsn.com/football/irish-eircom-league-league-table-2013/
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bohslegend added 22:39 - Jul 3 Was there today and met Mick, Terry and the boys. I've always had a good opinion of Mick, and today that was multiplied by 100! Apart from being a great player (in his day) and a great manager, he is also a genuinely decent bloke. He made plenty of time for me and my awestruck 9 year old son. I'm doing a charity 180km cycle on Saturday for Pieta House, and I'm missing the Shels game, so he agreed to support the charity with photos etc. On behalf of all of us here I thanked him and Terry for the Houdini act last season. They say there is a far more positive/optimistic atmosphere in the camp this season and tey arelooking forward to getting started. I'm still on cloud 9, fantastic experience to meet them all.

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Warkys_Tash added 22:58 - Jul 3 @Eireannach gorm: I was only joking which I am sure you already knew - someone though hasn't got a sense of humour. Hotel looks a bit special, thanks for your post. I am a MM fan, so far so good. It seems we have a proper manager at PR once again.
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kerryblue added 00:21 - Jul 4 Good luck Bohslegend,great cause hope all goes well ,go n eiri an bothair leat.
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Eireannach_gorm added 01:42 - Jul 4 +1 on that kerryblue. Lets hope the road doesn't eiri too much! Pieta house IS a good cause http://www.pieta.ie/index.php/about
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MaynoothBlue added 09:56 - Jul 4 I live in the grounds of Carton House and it does have great sporting facilities. Birmingham C are here next week, followed by Liverpool, Celtic and Celta Vigo so we're in good company. Been down to watch the boys train most days and spoke to some of the coaches. Only two players came back from the break overweight, Chopra and JET, says it all about their motivation to play for us. Met a few of the lads, decent bunch, only to happy to stop for a chat.

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