COLCHESTER United's trip to Ireland has been hailed a complete success.

The U's squad returned to Essex last night following their pre-season training camp in Limerick, where the players were put through their paces by the club's sports scientist and fitness coach, Donough Holohan.

They took part in team-bonding exercises, intense small-sided games and worked long hours in the gym, as the countdown to the new Coca-Cola Championship season continued.

Holohan said: "From my perspective, it's been great. It was everything I expected it to be and more and the new boys integrated very well. This week was a really tough test for the boys but the standard of the work they produced was absolutely top class."