ON their Wednesday afternoon off Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick headed out of Carton House to a nearby village for a haircut.

The pair went to see a barber that Hendrick knows for a quick trim but soon found themselves the centre of attention as dozens of local children gathered outside the shop waiting for pictures and autographs.

It's not everyday two of Ireland's biggest footballing superstars descend on your local village. In fact it was a case of 'hair today, gone tomorrow'.

WITH five Ireland internationals now in Sean Dyche's squad there's been considerable interest from press on this side of the Irish sea in Burnley's visit to Carton House.

So in between training sessions on Thursday afternoon Stephen Ward and Jon Walters sat down with the Irish press pack for a chat.

The informal gathering took place in the impressive library at Carton House, which this correspondent and Burnley's media team have been using as an office all week, with the odd interruption from tourists coming in to have a gawp and ask if the countless whisky bottles on the shelves are full (no, unfortunately).

Navigating your way around this magnificent building isn't easy, but it's a venue Ward knows well having got married here, and he had no trouble finding the library.

AFTER just the one session yesterday it's been another busy day for the Clarets on Thursday, with a training session taking place late morning and then another at around 5pm.

They will have a session on Friday morning before getting ready for the game against Shamrock Rovers, which starts at 7pm, in which they can expect 45 minutes of action at most.

MOST of Burnley's Irish contingent can expect a warm welcome at the Tallaght Stadium tomorrow night, perhaps apart from the afore mentioned Ward.

The left-back began his career with Shamrock Rovers' arch rivals Bohemians, and when a Rovers director dropped by Carton House on Thursday he was quick to remind Ward of past loyalties.

It sounds like an association not quickly forgotten around these parts, so Ward might be braced for a couple of boos as he returns to familiar territory on Friday evening.

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