Town get their pre-season friendly programme underway today with a game against Dublin side Shelbourne at Tolka Park (KO 3pm).

As they did last year, the Blues have spent a week training at the Carton House hotel in Co Kildare, where manager Mick McCarthy previously brought his Wolves and Sunderland sides.

“The lads came back in great shape and are all ready to get out there and play now,” McCarthy told the club site. “They’ve trained hard all week and they really have been flying.

“We’ve also had a good week bonding as a group and the new lads - Jonny Parr and Cameron Stewart - have both sung their initiation songs, which is always good fun to watch!

“But all in all, the lads are in great shape and I’m really pleased with them. We’re looking forward to getting out onto the grass and having a run out against Shelbourne now.”

Town also started last year’s pre-season friendly programme with a game at Shelbourne, Daryl Murphy scoring twice in a 2-0 win.

The Blues fielded two different XIs in either half of last year’s match and may well do the same today.

Shelbourne played a youthful team in that game and are likely to do the same having beaten Jack Doherty’s loan club Waterford United 3-1 at home in an Airtricity First Division match last night.

Meanwhile, former Blue Richard Naylor has been made redundant by Leeds United. The 37-year-old was the U18s coach at Elland Road.

Photo: Action Images

dundeebloo added 10:30 - Jul 12 Think with another keeper,a goal scoring midfielder and a young hungry striker this could be our best season for many a year.
7

GavITFC added 11:05 - Jul 12 Come on you bluuuuues!!
2

Jaffe added 11:15 - Jul 12 can we get Naylor back to partner Alan Lee up front?
4

hogster1970 added 11:45 - Jul 12 well i will be disapointed not to see marriot and hewit and stewart not get a full half thats for sure, come on town smah the granny out of them lol
1

Michael11 added 11:47 - Jul 12 I'd like to see us appoint Richard Naylor as new Under 21's manager. Can't be any worse than Kennedy and he's a club legend!
2

dugoutdave added 12:35 - Jul 12 Talking of friendlies and goalkeepers, Sam Walker of Colchester is showing on the team sheet for this afternoon match at Brantham athletic , along with the rest of their first team. For a fiver to get in seems like a good chance to see him in action.
0

linhdi added 12:44 - Jul 12 Looking forward to this afternoon's game at Shelbourne - it's nice and warm in Dublin, so we'll need a few Guinnesses in their cosy little club bar pre-match. Players seem a happy bunch - spoke to Tommy and Cole yesterday, and they're clearly really up for the season. First time for years that we have gone into pre-season with a settled squad, and that alone should make a big difference. Echo thoughts re keeper, creative midfielder and striker, unless Marriott is going to have a breakthrough year.

3

LiamCP123 added 13:35 - Jul 12 Come on TOWN!!!
0

floridaboy added 14:40 - Jul 12 Naylor=Legend. Why is that damn word used to describe ordinary footballers. Naylor was just that. An ordinary footballer. Legend=Crawford, Baxter, Muhren, Thijssen, Hunter and Beattie to name 6 LEGENDS!
2

dubblue added 15:55 - Jul 12 Town up 2 nil at half time. Goals from Paul Anderson and Dean Quigg - could have been more but Gherkin made a fine save on the 40th min - Shells only chance.
0

dubblue added 16:00 - Jul 12 Correction second goal from McQueen misheard the PA!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls