Real set for pre-season training in Ireland

Spanish giants Real Madrid will spend some of their pre-season training in Ireland with new coach Manuel Pellegrini set to take his side to Kildare's Carton House for ten days next month.

The move follows the appointment of Irish sports management company Platinum One by Real Madrid as its Official Pre-Season Partner for its 2009/2010 pre-season training programme.

A press release issued by Platinum One this morning confirmed: 'Discussions between the two parties began in November when officials from Real Madrid CF visited Scotland and Ireland with PLATINUM ONE.

'Within the past few weeks negotiations for the ten-day visit of the world’s biggest football club were concluded in Madrid.

'The pre-season programme, which will involve the full senior squad under new first team coach Manuel Pellegrini, will take place at Carton House, Maynooth, Co Kildare from 13 to 22 July.'

Platinum One also confirmed that Real will play one match in Ireland as part of the training programme, details of which will be announced next week.

However, it is rumoured that Shamrock Rovers will host Kaka, Robben, Raul, and the host of other Real stars at the Tallaght Stadium.