Boss Mick McCarthy says striker Daryl Murphy fully deserved his Most Improved Player award, despite being one of the more senior members of the squad.

The 31-year-old joined the Blues on a permanent basis last summer following his release by Celtic having previously had three spells on loan at Portman Road.

He ended the season as Town’s second top scorer on 13 and won a recall into the Ireland squad after an absence of five and a half years.

McCarthy personally picked the Irishman for the gong, which was announced at the club’s End of Season Dinner shortly before the end of the campaign.

“It’s strange isn’t it, ‘most improved player’. Doesn’t it seem bonkers when you’re 31?” said McCarthy, who also signed Murphy from his hometown club Waterford United in 2005 when manager of Sunderland, soon after he had been on trial with Town.

“I was hoping that he didn’t take it as an insult and I’m sure he didn’t. Generally it’s a kid that comes through that gets it. But I think from signing here as our player - and he did all right last year on loan - he’s been outstanding this season.

“And even more so from when David McGoldrick got injured. I think he took up the baton and led the line remarkably well on his own and got his goals. I think he has been the most improved player.”

Photo: Action Images

Marcus added 06:59 - May 12 I agree with McCarthy but would add that it also indicates the lack of young players progressing from the youth system.
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Len_Brennan added 07:08 - May 12 Fully deserved alright, but @Marcus makes a good point also. The really pleasing thing about Murphy is that he reversed the recent unwanted trend we've had; players in their 30s getting a full contract after doing reasonably well on loan, then disappearing into haze of mediocrity & apathy. He actually responded to the club showing faith in him & providing him with security.

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bedsitfc added 09:01 - May 12 Yeah agree with Marcus also, But that is Keane and cleggs fault I am sure now that between the joint ceo's and mick this will be addressed.
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theblueginger added 13:39 - May 12 Well done Murphy, really led the line well in the second half of theseason and has been getting more reward for the grafting he has always put in at ITFC But i agree with the opening reply....Marriot aside, there doesn't seem to be much progress amongst young players atm, i mean Doherty has done nothing, Hewitt has not featured much in our first team and whatever happened to Lawrence?

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jas0999 added 14:53 - May 12 Bedsitfc - and Jewells fault of course. Think of his treatment of youngsters like Hyam ... Dropped after just one poor game. Also, preference was for injury prone has beens like Sonko, Bowyer and Bullard ... Costing thousands ... Rather than youngsters. Not saying you are wrong, but just blaming Keane is not strictly true.
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Jimmy86 added 14:54 - May 12 Will be a big season next season for the likes of hewitt and veseli, to challenge for the right back role. You've also got marriott up front along with the lad mcqueen who signed a pro deal, having been on trial. Henshall providing he signs out wide and then byron lawerence and teddy bishop to come as well. Mix that with experience and it bodes well for the future
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Ipswichbusiness added 15:17 - May 12 When McGoldrick was injured I wondered where the goals would come from; Murphy provided the answer. That said, I agree withe above posts about youth players. Whilst I have considerable admiration for what Mr McCarthy has done for the club over the last 18 months, the lack of youth progression is one of my moans. An example would be picking Chambers at right-back rather than centre-back, sending Hewitt and Veseli out on loans and then signing Richardson on loan to replace them.

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blueboy1981 added 18:54 - May 12 If I were MM I would have thought long and hard before making such a statement - that award going to a 31 +? year old doesn't exactly make the best of statements for our Club, and it's ' academy status / plans' - does it ??
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TimmyH added 19:37 - May 12 Crikey another 'outstanding' player - anybody would have thought we'd made at least the play-offs with such OTT comments! Don't get me wrong I think Murphy's done ok particularly after McG got injured, so praise?yes, but outstanding? - No.
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