Mick McCarthy says pre-season will be ‘same-same’ for Ipswich Town this summer.
Since former Republic of Ireland boss McCarthy arrived in 2012, the Blues have always started their preparations with a week-long training camp at Carton House, just outside of Dublin, followed by a game against Shelbourne.
That is then traditionally followed by a series of games at lower level clubs in or around East Anglia, with a home game against foreign opposition – last year Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise – usually bringing the curtain down on the friendless.
Quizzed on his plans for this summer, McCarthy, who has never hidden from the fact he hates pre-season, replied: “Yes, same-same, friendlies. We’re not at Shelbourne though, we’re at Drogheda, north of Dublin. Then the usual, Southend, Colchester and other games around here.”
Drogheda are currently seventh in the Airtricity League Premier Division (top tier in Ireland).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here