Post by earl on Jul 15, 2009 15:54:15 GMT
"If your name isn't on 'ere, love, you can't come in," said the black-clad men in their thick Dublin accents as they peered at their list of accredited members of the press.
I hadn't even got into the grounds of the exclusive Carton House, located only 40 minutes from Ireland's capital city, let alone reached hotel reception.
Real Madrid were clearly not taking any risks with their billboard boys - and this was no exception.
From uniformed Garda on bikes and in cars to their plain-clothed colleagues patrolling the grounds, no stone has been left unturned.
And if that was not enough, there was even a private firm on hand to help with players' welfare 24/7.
But the reward for those brave enough to get through the barricades is something money can't buy.
A glimpse, a smile, a signed shirt, or even a photograph, if you were lucky enough to get within touching distance of the most expensive footballer in history.
Even at 7.50am, with the first of three daily training sessions about to take place, Ronaldo happily signed and grinned away for a small band of dedicated supporters who had braved the puddles and mud. Even his own security man took a step back and smiled.
It was an open and friendly environment.
"Come back, Ronaldo," screamed one girl as the world-record signing began to walk away. "My dog wants to see you."
"My jersey wants to see you," said the boy standing alongside her. Needless to say the Manchester United shirt won.
So why are Real here? It did nothing but rain on their first day.
But the inclement weather was the very reason they had chosen the Emerald Isle for a spot of pre-season training and a game against Shamrock Rovers.
With the start of the new La Liga campaign not so far away, they had been eager to escape the heat of Madrid.
For those watching the players from the sidelines, it was surreal to see the likes of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema chest-bumping, getting drenched doing weights and running with medicine balls.
But in only one day, the galacticos attracted more media attention than Oxegen, Ireland's annual music festival which took place at the weekend.
Make of that what you will.
I hadn't even got into the grounds of the exclusive Carton House, located only 40 minutes from Ireland's capital city, let alone reached hotel reception.
Real Madrid were clearly not taking any risks with their billboard boys - and this was no exception.
From uniformed Garda on bikes and in cars to their plain-clothed colleagues patrolling the grounds, no stone has been left unturned.
And if that was not enough, there was even a private firm on hand to help with players' welfare 24/7.
But the reward for those brave enough to get through the barricades is something money can't buy.
A glimpse, a smile, a signed shirt, or even a photograph, if you were lucky enough to get within touching distance of the most expensive footballer in history.
Even at 7.50am, with the first of three daily training sessions about to take place, Ronaldo happily signed and grinned away for a small band of dedicated supporters who had braved the puddles and mud. Even his own security man took a step back and smiled.
It was an open and friendly environment.
"Come back, Ronaldo," screamed one girl as the world-record signing began to walk away. "My dog wants to see you."
"My jersey wants to see you," said the boy standing alongside her. Needless to say the Manchester United shirt won.
So why are Real here? It did nothing but rain on their first day.
But the inclement weather was the very reason they had chosen the Emerald Isle for a spot of pre-season training and a game against Shamrock Rovers.
With the start of the new La Liga campaign not so far away, they had been eager to escape the heat of Madrid.
For those watching the players from the sidelines, it was surreal to see the likes of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema chest-bumping, getting drenched doing weights and running with medicine balls.
But in only one day, the galacticos attracted more media attention than Oxegen, Ireland's annual music festival which took place at the weekend.
Make of that what you will.