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McCarthy: Leeds' Loss Town's Gain - Ipswich Town News

Boss Mick McCarthy wonders what Leeds failed to see in striker Noel Hunt that they were willing to let him move on and join his elder brother Stephen at Portman Road. Hunt junior signed a deal to the end of the season earlier this month following his loan spell before Christmas.

Hunt, 32, endured a frustrating 17 months at Elland Road, failing to score in only 14 starts and eight sub appearances, with his only involvement this season in the opening two games of the campaign.

However, he made a dramatic start to his loan spell with Town when he scored the winner deep into injury time at Charlton in November.

And, having left Leeds and rejoined the Blues, the Irishman was handed his first start at Millwall 10 days ago and scored twice within 14 minutes to set Town on the road to their 3-1 victory. At Brighton on Wednesday he set up Daryl Murphy’s 18th goal of the season as Town were defeated 3-2.

"I wonder what other people saw in him. It was Brian McDermott that signed him [at Leeds] and I know what Brian saw in him because he had him for years at Reading,” McCarthy said.

"Then I just wonder what they don’t see in him that we could end up getting him after he’d had his contract cancelled.

"We already knew about him but having seen him play at Millwall I thought his performance was very, very good, even taking his goals out of his performance. His goals just made it an excellent performance.

"Like his brother, he’s just a great character to have around. I’m really delighted to have them both.”

Asked about the Hunt brothers as a double act, he added: "With one they're nuts and with two of them they’re completely nuts. It’s great, I love it. They’re fantastic guys.”

Meanwhile, former Blue Sean St Ledger is on trial with MLS side DC United. St Ledger was with Town on a short-term deal before Christmas but failed to break into the first team before being released.

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