Striker Ronan Murray is targeting his first league goal having made impressive strides in the opening months of the season. The 19-year-old netted his first senior goal on his debut when he came on as a sub in the Carling Cup victory at Exeter but is yet to score in the Championship.

Murray joined Town’s academy at 15 from Erris United in County Mayo after being spotted by former Blues striker Robin Turner, who is now a referee in the west of Ireland.

The Irish U19 international told the club site that a first league goal is his current main aim: "I have come off the bench lately and have been told by the staff I have done OK so I have to build on that and look to keep improving.

"My next goal is scoring a league goal. I thought I had scored at Watford the other week. I have nearly done it in other games but nearly isn't good enough. Hopefully the signs are there that I can come on and score and I need to prove that I can do that."

Manager Roy Keane has been impressed with Murray's performances, although said after the recent Watford game that the 5ft 7in tall frontman is not yet ready to start a first team match: “He’s got the heart the size of a lion, but at this moment in time he’s more of a substitute. Physically he still has to do a bit more.

“That said, the other night he looked more likely to score than anybody and credit to the boy for that. Same when he came on at Exeter. We can talk about what he lacks, but he gets in the right areas and he’s tenacious.”

Murray has now made eight first team appearances, all from the bench. Five in the Championship and three in the Carling Cup.

Photo: Action Images

alsagerblue added 15:15 - Nov 3 An exciting prospect.
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sonian_blue added 15:16 - Nov 3 Must admit he has impressed me so far, full of energy and not afraid to get stuck in when he has come on, albeit late on. A promising future awaits, and hopefully for the Town.
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whoppit added 16:03 - Nov 3 Good luck Ronan. I hope you have a big future here at Ipswich.
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Bluecynic added 16:34 - Nov 3 Been much more impressed with him than I thought I would be and he does link up very well with Wickham.
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Mungo added 17:10 - Nov 3 Keep working hard Ronan and you'll get your rewards!
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HKBlue added 17:16 - Nov 3 So far he looks like he's a great impact player for the blues! When he has come on he's just full of energy and has great control with the ball! Works hard to create space and that shows quality of a player not just having the ball but also without it. I wish him the best of luck and hope he's a true blue! COYB
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whoppit added 17:50 - Nov 3 I think our witless leader should look into the possibility of sending Ronan out on loan to a lower league side. I am sure that experience will benefit him greatly.
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Tillz9 added 18:27 - Nov 3 I don't think we should be sending him on loan when we only have 4 strikers at present , and you call Keane witless !!!
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whoppit added 18:40 - Nov 3 Tillz9 - that is why Keane is witless. having only Scotland with Plonker Priskin as back up which leaves two untried kids Wickham and Murray. Pont proven !!!
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TraCtorJoe added 20:11 - Nov 3 he is close to scoring soon because whenever he has come on he has worked his socks off and looks like a good player for the future.
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Martus added 20:14 - Nov 3 Whoppit is kinda right if we had the back up that is. Strikers need games, and since he's not a target man Keane won't play him as our long balls as he's too small (even tho Scotland is just as small and we pointlessly punt it too him) but we need all the strikers we can at the mo.
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Skip73 added 21:07 - Nov 3 Some people will find a negative in any story even this one.
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beerhelps added 21:09 - Nov 3 Blimey, I haven't thought of Robin Turner in years! I'll always remember watching his two goals to earn the replay from that snow covered, open terrace with the M32 flyover about ten feet behind us. twtd.....
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Smithy added 22:05 - Nov 3 Save it for a last minute winner in the local derby my son!
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WashbrookBlue added 22:15 - Nov 3 Good lad this Murray. Almost as exciting a prospect as HKBlue.......
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bobble added 05:02 - Nov 4 these strikers nowadays all have short hair' do you think that effects their goalscoring ? look at mariner and whymark and even wark all had plenty of hair and they scored goals galore
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GiveusaWave added 07:31 - Nov 4 Murray and Wickham look particularly impressive together... Wait until Lavery joins the first team...
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AwayDays added 09:02 - Nov 4 good feeling about murray, works extremely hard for the team. just hoping he gets his first goal this saturday.
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bluelady added 09:02 - Nov 4 Firat saw him pay about two years ago against watford youths thought then what. Great player and he and wickham showed at the weekend what having an established strike partnership can do for youn they read each others game so well. Murray also has an eye for a pass wo would do very well playing just behind a taller striker like wickham. Whoppit you must live such a miseraable little life finding negatives in what can only be described as a big plus for the club, what's up eh someone tell you santa doesn't really exist?!!

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bobble added 09:28 - Nov 4 i wonder has whoppet got any hair ?
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legoman added 10:16 - Nov 4 I think its more the length of the shorts bobble.
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whoppit added 11:16 - Nov 4 What are some of you lot talking about?? I don't always post negative points. Look at my first post on this news story. Or can you guys not read?
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bluelady added 11:44 - Nov 4 No whoppit I can't read - dumb question or what!
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whoppit added 12:25 - Nov 4 bluelady, my point is that a few of you seem to "miss" my positive posts on here. It's strange how nobody seems to see them. So, for the benefit of you all - Ronan sounds like he is going to be an exciting prospect. How bout that?
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AwayDays added 12:39 - Nov 4 i agree whoppit i think ronan is going to be an exciting prospect, lets just hope he can kick on now and establish himself in the first team sqauad and possibly even the startingh 11. thoughts on the team for the weekend?
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