Mick McCarthy Hails 'Great Week' in Ireland

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90 Min
Publish date:
Jul 19, 2017

Ipswich Town beat Shelbourne 2-1 in their opening pre-season friendly at Tolka Park on Saturday and manager Mick McCarthy was satisfied after seeing most of his players get a 45-minute run out.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Manager of Ipswich Town Mick McCarthy gives instructions during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Ipswich Town at Griffin Park on August 8, 2015 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
Tom Dulat/GettyImages

Goals from Brett Smith and Freddie Sears gave Ipswich a narrow win and McCarthy was very pleased with the facilities at Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare.

“You could see the pitch wasn’t really conducive to the ball being moved quickly,” McCarthy told the club's official website.

“Two good goals, I don’t know about the penalty, whether it was or it wasn’t but it made for a bit of a closer game anyway.

“Excellent, they’re always very good up there, we get well looked after.

“You can see the standard of it because Rafa Benitez took Real Madrid there and he’s taken Newcastle there, he obviously remembers it fondly. It’s a great facility and the lads just love it, it’s great.”

McCarthy is well aware his players aren't match fit just yet, but is sure his side will be ready when they take on Barnsley in their opening Championship fixture on the 6th of August.

“It’s pre-season, it’s always hard,” the 57-year-old said.

“You could see there, they’ve only played 45 minutes but they’re knackered. So long as they’ve run around and are getting their fitness, that’s what it’s all about.