WEDNESDAY signals the quietest day of the tour for the Clarets and after an hour-long session late morning they hit the gym for a bit of strength work before getting the afternoon off.

In Evian-les-Bains last year the squad went white water rafting on their afternoon off as part of a team bonding exercise, but at Carton House they were able to do what they wanted.

A dozen of them hit the pristine golf course here, home to the Irish Golf Union, for a quick 18 holes in the afternoon sunshine.

For others it was time to relax, with the young lads Aiden O'Neill, Dan Agyei and Tom Anderson hitting the spa for some R&R.

THE toughest day had probably been on Tuesday, when the infamous yo-yo tests, or bleep tests, had taken place in the morning, followed by another session in the afternoon.

This is a squad renowned for their fitness and they lived up to the billing with some impressive showings.

Around eight managed to complete the physically demanding test, an impressive number for so early in pre-season, including O'Neill, who looked ready to go again soon after.

WITH five Ireland internationals now in the squad, thanks to the addition of Jon Walters, the Clarets are proving quite a draw here at Carton House, just down the road from the university town of Maynooth, which seems to run to a more sedate peace in the summer while the students are elsewhere.

Training sessions are regularly watched by dozens of children keen to catch a glimpse of their international heroes, with Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick particular favourites.

It was a disappointed group of around six or seven youngsters, all wearing Republic of Ireland shirts, who were on their way down the path past the Downton Abbey-esque buildings at Carton House to watch training on Wednesday afternoon, only to be told there was no training. They'll be back to give it another go tomorrow.

But there's a few Burnley shirts knocking about as well and it's only going to get busier between now and Friday night, when the friendly takes place at Shamrock Rovers' Tallaght Stadium.

  • The Lancashire Telegraph is following Burnley on tour in association with Accrington Clarets Supporters Club