Mick McCarthy’s interest in Waterford winger Jack Doherty has seen the Blues boss return to the Emerald Isle in his quest to unearth further footballing gems.

Town are considering bringing the 18-year-old to Portman Road after the Clonmel-born youngster impressed during a training camp in Kildare last week.

McCarthy is busy reshaping his squad for the new season and drafted in former Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken over the weekend, adding to the captures of Jay Tabb, Daryl Murphy, Paul Anderson, Cole Skuse and David McGoldrick.

The new faces will add competition for places in Suffolk, whereas the potential singing of Doherty would join ex-Chippenham defender Tyrone Mings on McCarthy’s list of ‘players for the future’.

McCarthy has form in recruiting players from across the Irish Sea, with current Town forward Murphy a bargain £100,000 capture for Sunderland, from Doherty’s current club, back in 2006.

McCarthy also snared Republic of Ireland youngster Stephen Elliott from Manchester City in 2004 – the Dubliner going on to score 22 times in 81 appearances for the Black Cats, before being reunited with his former boss at Wolves.

Dave Savage counts as one of McCarthy’s first finds. The then-unknown Dubliner signed for Millwall from Longford Town in 1994 and went on to make more than 130 appearances for the Lions, as well as winning five caps for the Republic of Ireland.

But it is not just Ireland where McCarthy has spotted a bargain

Defender Neill Collins has gone on to make more than 300 Football League appearances since leaving Dumbarton for McCarthy’s Sunderland in 2004.

However, arguably McCarthy’s best piece of business remains the capture of winger Michael Kightly, for Wolves, from non-league Grays, seven years ago.