Real Madrid hit for six by media interest

IRELAND’S national sports are rugby and . . . cricket, according to Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants carry regular website updates on their first team, and yesterday realmadrid.com explained that while Cristiano Ronaldo and company were causing a stir at their Carton House training camp, cricket is more popular than soccer here.

“Real Madrid’s first training session in Kildare provoked a huge turnout of fans and press, primarily Spanish and British,” said the website report. “After two and a half hours of gym work, cameras began snapping the first images at 11:30am, when they took to the pitch. Close to 100 members of the media were on hand to report on the first preseason training session held on Irish soil.

“Although football takes a back seat to rugby and cricket in Ireland, dozens of fans also showed up hoping to get an autograph and greet their favourite players. Cristiano Ronaldo generated the most demand as would be expected after his stint with Manchester United.”