Town boss Mick McCarthy is keeping tabs on Dundalk winger Daryl Horgan, according to a report in Ireland.

Horgan, 24, is currently widely viewed as the best player in Irish football and is on the verge of breaking into Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad following his performances for the Lilywhites, who are closing in on their third successive Airtricity League Premier Division title and impressed in Europe this season as they became the first Irish side to reach the play-off round of the Champions League.

According to the Irish Sun McCarthy sent scouts to watch as Horgan scored twice to see his side to a 2-1 victory over Cork City at Oriel Park on Tuesday evening with O’Neill also in the crowd.

The Town boss is said to be set to take a look at the Galway-born wideman in person before the Irish season ends at the start of November.

Horgan, whose contract is coming to an end and will be available on a free transfer in January, started his career with Salthill Devon before moving on to Sligo Rovers, Cork City, initially on loan, and then his current club in 2013, having spent time on trial at Barnsley and Torquay United.

Capped by Ireland at U19 and U21 levels, primarily right-sided Horgan is understood to have been watched by a number of English clubs in recent months with Everton linked yesterday. He has said he is happy at Dundalk but will look at his options before making a decision on his future.

While with Dundalk Horgan has also carried off the 2015 FAI Cup, the 2014 League of Ireland Cup and the 2015 President’s Cup.

He was named the PFAI Young Player of the Year in 2014 and was selected in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Meanwhile, Max Booth, who TWTD revealed was on trial with Town last week, scored six times for Needham Market's reserves as they defeated Ipswich Athletic 11-0 in the Suffolk Senior Cup last night.

Booth is one of three 17-year-olds from local non-league sides to recently have been offered the chance to spend time with the Blues, along with AFC Sudbury defender Tyler French, who played for the U18s and U23s earlier this week, and Gorleston striker Connor Ingram.

Photo: Action Images

dalinghooblue added 10:08 - Oct 13 We'll have a lot of competition to get him.
2

Michael11 added 10:14 - Oct 13 Sounds promising. Free transfer and goals from midfield. Could be a gem. Mind you, I remember Jack Doherty being called the best player in Ireland.
7

Ruddockclyro added 10:19 - Oct 13 More signings are always good, wouldn't be surprised if we have to pay a fee for him get the cheque book out Marcus.
2

hoppy added 10:20 - Oct 13 Well our scouts saw him score as many goals as our whole team has scored since the beginning of September (and even one of those was a penalty), so they're bound to have been impressed... Sounds good though, if we manage to bring him over and not beaten to it by anyone else interested.
2

alfromcol added 10:23 - Oct 13 Surprised if he is so good, someone hasn't signed him already. He would no doubt be a good addition and make another great bench warmer!
8

iaintaylorx added 10:37 - Oct 13 Almost 90 pace on Fifa 17 and has 4 star skill moves ;-)
3

martin587 added 10:46 - Oct 13 Sounds great,but do we really need another winger.!! We need to replace Douglas and Skuse first,surely that is the Priority.
5

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 10:48 - Oct 13 Sign him up. Part of next season's promotion drive. (This season is now considered as a step-back- and- build! -:)) Seriously, though, we could do worse. The youngsters will be a year older next season, hopefully Webster will be established, and hopefully we shall have a front man who can score goals. Not sure that we are that far short of a good squad, despite the abject performances so far this season.

3

TimmyH added 10:51 - Oct 13 Crikey and he hasn't played for Wolves either...even if we did manage to get him ol' Skusey, Douglas and Bru would keep him from starting. When would Ward, Williams, Grant, McG or Bish get a start?
5

martin587 added 10:55 - Oct 13 Steve,we have all been saying "next Season" for ages now.Just how long do we have to wait.This dire situation should have been sorted last season,not next.Steve we still have over 30 games to play,it's going to be a boring season if we give up now,don't you think.!!
4

rodney added 10:55 - Oct 13 But can he pass backwards, play out of position and chase lost causes on request?
2

tractorboybig added 10:57 - Oct 13 ERR.... other clubs including Everton looking at him? Well he aint not coming here then. far more interested in the three local youngsters coming here. Thats what this club used to be about , developing promising youngsters, unfortuantly at present their future here is dim.
2

Beattiesballbag added 11:03 - Oct 13 Hmmmm, it's going to be a tough choice for the lad , should he go for playing on the rightwing for Everton or cover the left back spot at Ipswich! .........tough one that! We might be at slight disadvantage, if he went Everton he can just hop on the Ferry to get home......but at least if he came here.................ah *#># it I can't think of anything!
2

Bluebell added 11:05 - Oct 13 If he is that good, why hasn't he been snapped up before? He is 24 so you would have thought scouts would have been watching him. Do we really need another winger? We seem to have too many players and while Mick sticks to his 'favourites' some (Conor Grant for example) won't get a game. I would have thought a striker should be our first priority bearing in mind we can't score goals!

2

Stenvict added 11:28 - Oct 13 tractorboybig, "Well he ain't not coming here" So you think we'll sign him then?
3

Beattiesballbag added 11:28 - Oct 13 Steve_ITFC_Sweden I love your optimism ! "the youngsters will be a year older" but have you forgotten MM will probably still be here. Can you really see the day where MM has the b*#ls to tell an older player that the younster is better than him. "I know your 26 next month lad but your time will come"
4

smellmycheese added 11:43 - Oct 13 Exciting.............
0

Daleyitfc added 11:59 - Oct 13 Still scraping the bottom of that same Irish barrel then
-1

neilvanlimbeek added 12:09 - Oct 13 Friend of mine supports Dundalk, says hes their best player they have had in years.... We need to sing this Booth kid up too
2

TR11BLU added 12:14 - Oct 13 Wont get a game so why bother...
2

braveblue added 12:16 - Oct 13 No chance. He wouldn't get a game anyway.
2

Carberry added 12:19 - Oct 13 Oh another winger, who won't get any service from our midfield and won't be able to cross the ball to anyone who has the slightest idea where the back of the net is.
3

Ferguson added 12:22 - Oct 13 We've had some good uns who started their careers in Ireland - ,so I'm all in favour of us taking a look and investing in Horgan if he's as capable as the article suggests. BUT the step up to the Championship, week in week out, is huge. Homesickness also seems to be a problem for Irish prospects no matter how good they are. Supple comes to mind in particular of course . As for the 3 Musketeers from Sudbury,Gorleston and Needham - fingers crossed for all of them. It's marvelous to see local players make good.

2

Plums added 12:23 - Oct 13 Sounds ideal cover at left back...
2

Currie10 added 12:37 - Oct 13 I'd say a winger is exactly what we need we've got Sears playing wide left who hasn't a clue how to play there.
-1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls