Training camp for pre-season start
The U's will begin their pre-season training in Ireland.Individual fitness testing takes place this Friday here in north Essex, before the squad begins preparations together as a group next Monday.
The first few days of hard work will be done over on the Emerald Isle, with manager Joe Dunne hoping for some focussed training.
"Going over will give us the chance to have the squad in a closed environment, where we can concentrate fully on what we have to do without any distractions.
"Going over will give us the chance to have the squad in a closed environment, where we can concentrate fully on what we have to do without any distractions.
"The lads will be together all the time as well, giving them the chance to bond again after a summer away from each other."
Dunne stated that the trip also offers him the opportunity to continue forging good links with coaching and scouting personnel in what is a hotbed of young talented footballers.
Dunne stated that the trip also offers him the opportunity to continue forging good links with coaching and scouting personnel in what is a hotbed of young talented footballers.
He told the official website: "I enjoyed a very successful trip there last season, where I met representatives from the Irish FA and the Irish PFA, and this trip gives me the chance to further cement those relationships."
"Over the years, plenty of lads from Ireland have made the grade in all the English leagues and we want to be at the front of the queue as a destination for the best players, both now and into the future."