Town new boy Barry Cotter has revealed it was a case of love at first sight when he arrived on trial at the club’s training ground back in January.
The 19-year-old made an impressive debut when he started last month’s 1-0 home win over Barnsley, clocked up a second first-team appearance as a late substitute for another youngster, Ben Folami, in the 4-0 win at Reading six days ago and is set to feature again in Sunday’s last game of the current campaign, at home to a Middlesbrough side who have already booked their play-off place.
Clare-born Cotter, who played for junior clubs Avenue United and Ennis Town before joining the academy at League of Ireland side Limerick when he was 16, said: "It was my agent, Thomas Butler, who actually got me a trial with Ipswich. I was in here with Chiedozie Ogbene, who signed for Brentford. We were here for two days and spent three days with them.
"As soon as I walked through those gates I knew I wanted to stay. It was January, about two weeks before the transfer window closed. I’ve enjoyed it so much here that the summer break’s coming up but to be honest I don’t really want to take it.
"I’ve only been here for a few months but it feels like ages, even a year or two. Since day one the boys have taken care of me and a couple of Irish boys have taken me under their wing.
"It feels as if I’ve known them my whole life — they’ve been brilliant to me — and they have made it so easy for me.
"When I first arrived they all came and introduced themselves to me and they’ve been absolutely A1 to me, which has made my life so much easier with regard to the training ground and settling in generally.
"It has helped to give me the confidence to go and express myself and earn these chances in the first team. I’m happy that I’ve got my two appearances as a result of all that.”
It was a memorable debut for Cotter, the only down side that it came in what proved to be ex-manager Mick McCarthy’s final game in charge.
"He soon captured supporters’ attention, so much so that there were jeers when he was withdrawn and replaced by Grant Ward just 11 minutes after the restart.
Cotter added: "It has to be up there with one of the best days of my life and I must give huge respect to Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor for giving me a debut in what was their last game in charge.
"To take a risk like that on their last day, well, I show them huge respect for putting their trust in me like that and giving me a chance on such a big stage.
"Also, the way Mick took care of me, taking me off when he did. I was absolutely blowing by then, no legs left, and he could see what had to be done.
"It was unfortunate and I could see where the fans were coming from. They obviously wanted to see me stay on but I had to come off, so huge respect to the gaffer and TC for that.”
Asked how he had found the step-up to Championship level, Cotter replied: "It was quite hard, starting off, to be honest. I came from a really physical league in Ireland and over here, technically and ability wise, it’s just sky high in comparison.
"The coaches, Gerard Nash and Chris Hogg, took care of me big-time when I first came over, teaching me the ropes and giving me one-on-one time when I needed it, as well as giving me extra work here and there.
"Everything was available to me and they made it so easy for me, as well as the boys themselves.”
Nash and Hogg have been assisting stand-in boss Bryan Klug since the departure of McCarthy and Cotter added: "They have deserved their promotion to first team level, 100 per cent.
"They’ve done nothing but improve themselves and us, so you can’t ask for any more from a coach, can you?”
Cotter said it was always an ambition to play in England, adding: "When I was growing up in Ireland, going through the various ranks in local football, it was always my aim to earn my big chance over here in England.
"It’s a different world over here. You have a coach for every aspect of the game and you just have everything right to make yourself a better player. I’d had trials before Ipswich came in for me. I’d been around the block a few times but with no real interest, I have to say.
"When I was growing up I started playing as a striker, then I found myself as a number 10 when I joined the Limerick academy.
"But after that I went on a course and they changed me to a centre-back. The former Newcastle player, Neil McDonald, was our gaffer for a bit and it was him who put me to right-back and since then I’ve thought ‘This is my position now’.
"Would I love a goal or two? Well, I feel like I can go forward but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
"I’m working on it every day, getting forward and beating opponents, but at the end of the day I’m a defender so I’ll be looking to keep a clean sheet and if I do get a goal here and there it will be a bonus.”
Cotter admitted he was sad to see the back of McCarthy so soon after he arrived at the club. "He signed me in January on a three and a half year contract and clearly saw potential in me,” said the teenager.
"He thought he could work with me but although it was only about four months that we were together it seemed I’d spent more like a couple of years with him.
"He was brilliant but now I’ve just got to keep my head down and push on. I hope to end the season on a high and start next season on a high too. As far as I’m concerned, the sky’s the limit.”