Debutant Barry Cotter has thanked exiting Blues boss Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor for giving him “the best day of [his] life so far” and Town fans for giving him a standing ovation.

Cotter, who joined the Blues from Limerick in January for €80,000 (around £70,000), made an impressive Town debut at right wing-back, having played most of his U23s football since coming to the club at centre-half.

“Yesterday was a very proud day for my family and I making my full professional debut in the EFL Championship [for] Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town FC,” the 19-year-old wrote on social media.

“Words cannot describe the respect I have for him buying me from Ireland and giving me the opportunity to go out on such a big stage and express myself so soon.

“It has been a pleasure working for him and TC. Thank you for giving me the best day of my life so far and I would like to thank the fans for welcoming me with open arms and for the standing ovation at the end. Also happy to have started my career with a three points at home!”

Speaking prior to walking out of his press conference announcing his departure having described fans' reaction to Cotter’s substitution as “disgraceful”, McCarthy had praise for the Republic of Ireland U19 international.

“Barry Cotter caught everybody’s eye, another one that it looks like we’ve done really well on," McCarthy said.

“He’s just got personality, he’s got a twinkle in his eye, he’s got technical ability, he’s quick and powerful, he’s got everything to be a player. I’ve just fancied him ever since he walked through the door.

“He came as a centre-half, I said ‘No chance, he’ll be a right-back’ and that’s what he’s going to be.

“He’s going to be a good player for Ipswich Town. He’s been a really good signing. If that’s his standard on his debut then he's only going to get better.

“He’s great, he’s not a shy boy, he’s a great fella, that’s why I put him in. I knew it wouldn’t faze him, he’s got really good ability as well.”

Was his withdrawal pre-planned? “Not at all, he was knackered. I said to him at half-time, he had his socks down, I said, ‘You tell me if you’re struggling’.

“He’d just let the wide player run on him twice and, of course, he wasn’t going to tell me because he wants to stay on the pitch.

“And that’s the art of management, knowing when to take him off and Wardy was brilliant, he was great.”

Photos: TWTD

TractorBeezer added 16:31 - Apr 11 Well done Barry. Looking forward to seeing more of you!
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Steve_M added 16:33 - Apr 11 A very impressive debut from Cotter last night. Whatever else he has done, McCarthy has brought a number of very promising young players into the team over the last two seasons. They will give his successor some interesting options to work with and something for fans to look forward to next season.
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Mark added 16:43 - Apr 11 Cotter looked excellent, I loved his positivity, confidence and enthusiasm. We need to give him and young players like him plenty of game time in future. We don't have money to spend, so need to return to the "Burley days" of developing youngsters to play for ITFC and, if they get sold, to sell on for big fees to reinvest. McCarthy did bring in some good youngsters, but he also seemed to prefer and trust the older pros. We need more focus on youth as a club, and that includes Evans allowing the new manager to spend decent fees on youngsters where this is a good investment.

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TheTrueBlue1878 added 17:00 - Apr 11 Breathe of fresh air, positive and direct. The pleasure was all ours, look forward to many more performances like that and many more standing ovations.
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whosroundisitanyway added 17:31 - Apr 11 I am so looking forward to all of our young players being integrated into the first team and all of us moving on. It doesn't matter how long it takes as long as the football's good and we're all in it together, ITFC can again be the great club they once were. IPSWICH TILL I DIE. LONG LIVE THE NEW KING!!!
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BlueArrow added 18:33 - Apr 11 Well done Barry great debut hope we can hold on to you if you keep performing like that. The big boys will be after you in no time prefer to keep you unless they have a massive cheque book.
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Bert added 18:34 - Apr 11 It's ironic that MM was given the raspberry for subbing Cotter when he did what fans have been asking for i.e. when we go in front, don't put a defender on, but an attack minded player on. Yes, Cotter had a great game but on this occasion MM was right. Pity the stay always didn't see Cotter's performance. Onward and upward under new management but let MM go with some dignity. Keane was a horror story whereas MM was plain boring and unadventurous.

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Gcon added 18:58 - Apr 11 Great signing. (by the man who was disgracefully booed last night)
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DiamondGezzer added 07:43 - Apr 12 If Tottenham don't want Carter-Vickers back, I'd like to see us sign him.
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BlueBlood90 added 09:08 - Apr 12 A very impressive debut in a position where we don't have great options. Would love to see him breakthrough as a first teamer next season.
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Seasider added 17:24 - Apr 12 Mick McCarthy seems to have unearthed a gem there,and it shows our former managers nous to switch him to right back.In fact he has made many astute purchases in his 5+ years,and Bert was quite right. If Mick thought we were booing young Cotter,then the young lad didn't think this;as will be seen by his reaction at the end. His praise for Mick McCarthy echoes what Cole Skuse and others have said about their former Manager,that he was held in high esteem We currently now have four right backs(excluding Chambo lol) in Emmanuel,Iorfa,Jordan Spence,and now Barry. Emmanuel currently out on loan,Iorfa injured and will presumably be going back to Wolves at the end of the season;which just leaves Jordan,who I think is a better centre back. Looks like we have at last found a decent right (wing)back after all these years,if his debut was anything to go by !

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