Town boss Mick McCarthy says new signing Jack Doherty was far from overawed when he trained with the Blues squad at Carton House in Kildare earlier this month. In fact, he says the 18-year-old stood out.

Doherty has agreed a two-year contract at Town with the formalities relating to his switch from Waterford United set to be completed in the next day or so.

McCarthy says he was impressed by the Clonmel-born midfielder during his trial: “There’s real potential in him. He’s about the size of Tabby, he needs to put a bit of weight on, but he’s a nice left-footed player.

“He came and trained with us for two days in Ireland and he wasn’t embarrassed by being with us, in fact he kind of stood out, which was good. It’s a nice little punt with him really and I think he’s got a real chance.”

McCarthy, whose family come from Waterford, says he hopes Doherty follows in the footsteps of Daryl Murphy, who the Blues boss signed from the Airtricity Division One side back in 2005 when he was in charge at Sunderland.

“My Dad was from Waterford, but I’m not trying to keep my old fella’s club going or anything like that because he was a hurling player,” he said.

“Murph came from there and he’s had a really good career. If Jack gets anywhere near as good as Murph’s done then we’ll be delighted.”

McCarthy says he views Doherty not just as a ‘chalk on his boots’ wideman: “I think he can do that, but I think he’s got more than that.

“Wingers, lots of them, come and play on the inside. I think he’s just got a nice bit of awareness about him as well. He can do that, I’m looking forward to seeing him with us.”

Meanwhile, the Blues boss says skipper Carlos Edwards is currently having some downtime after Trinidad and Tobago’s exit from the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the US: “I think he’s chilling. I spoke to him on Monday and he was in Trinidad.

“We’d love to see him before the weekend. If not, he’s fit, he’s played games and we’ll have to manage him as well because he’s done a lot of work, Carlos.”

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

Scribble added 18:33 - Jul 24 He looks like a leprechaun, lets hope he can bring us some luck!
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Ipswichbusiness added 19:06 - Jul 24 Like jas0999 I wish him every success. I like the idea of signing hungry talented young players. Hopefully with hard work he can make the most of his ability; there is little more frustrating than seeing it go to waste.
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MathieandMarshall added 21:12 - Jul 24 The pitch has never gone right to the stand but there is normally a strip of artificial turf along the edge which looks like its been removed? Possibly being replaced?
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Fatboy added 01:28 - Jul 25 @ Jimmys Law, it was mentioned in the TWTD article "Town to Run Rule Over Irish Winger" on 28 June: "We understand that Doherty previously spent time training at Playford Road when a schoolboy." You commented on that article ;-)
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Beattiesballbag added 10:39 - Jul 25 JewellintheTown added 16:16 - Jul 24 Still surprises me people comment on people who have ginger hair. Wouldn't be commented on skin colour, religion or race nowadays, what's with the hair colour comments, what's it matter? Change "ginger hair" to a colour of skin and there would be uproar. BTW, mines blonde so not sensitive on the subject either. Guess JimmysLaw must be blonde then!!! ;<)

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