Noel Hunt is delighted to be teaming up at long last with fellow countryman Daryl Murphy, the pair having first met when they were growing up in Waterford.
Hunt explained: "I think we first came across each other when we were about 12 or 13 and started playing against each other.
"We played in the some county team and it’s nice to get back on the field with him again at this level. I know his attributes and what he’s good at.
"We didn’t go to the same school so were in opposition a few times. We used to bump into each other from time to time and chat in the passing.
"He’s a top lad. I was actually a goalkeeper back then so he probably buried a few past me. It wasn’t until I got to 15 or 16 that I started playing as a striker.
"Daryl has so many qualities as a front man. Firstly, he’s so big and strong. He makes it look so easy the way he just holds off defenders and that’s not at all easy to do.
"His goal record this season is fantastic and Didzy is great as well with the ball at his feet and the way he makes things happen. He’s a very clever player and out of nothing he can produce a goal.”
Hunt has little doubt that Murphy, whose current tally of 18 goals makes him the Championship’s leading marksman, will not have long to wait before he crashes through the 20-goal barrier.
He added: "He deserves the success he is having because he works hard. In fact, the thing that has impressed me most since I’ve been here is how every single member of the squad, in all the different positions, works so hard.
"When I look at Daryl I see things that he does better than I can and I pick up useful tips on how I can improve as a player.
"I’m 32 but I’m still learning and I doubt if you ever stop learning. You’ve got to learn because it’s the only way you will get better and I want to get better for what’s left of my career, whether it’s six, seven or eight years.
"As a striker you are looking to get that first goal and build from there throughout the season. It’s the same in games — you get one and go looking for two and if you get two you want a third to complete your hat-trick.
"Realistically, if you’re going to be a 20 goals-a-season striker you need to be in double figures by the middle to the end of January. Daryl’s been flying this season and I have no doubt he will easily get to 20.”
Hunt is also delighted with his start to life at Portman Road, netting twice to mark his first start in the recent win at Millwall to add to his stoppage-time strike that earned all three points at Charlton last month when he made his debut on loan from Leeds.
He added: "It’s been okay to be fair and I couldn’t have asked for much more. We’re obviously disappointed to have been beaten in two of our last three games, especially the defeat at Brighton, but hopefully we will have rectified that with the work we have been doing in training and it will show when we come up against Wigan.
"On a personal note, I’ve been warmly welcomed here and it makes all the difference.
"I get my fair share of headed goals; in fact I think most of my goals over the years have been headers. It’s nice to take people by surprise at times by getting across them in the box and getting on the end of things.
"I’ve always had that spring and been decent in the air. I don’t know but maybe my aerial ability has something to do with what I was like as a kid, jumping around and being hyperactive!”