Burnley v Ipswich: IPSWICH Town manager Mick McCarthy says he was just relieved that all the madness in the Championship was going on around him following his side’s 2-0 defeat at Burnley on the final game of the season.

While the Blues lost 2-0 at Turf Moor in a fairly meaningless mid-table match, there was plenty of drama elsewhere as several sides yo-yo’d in and out of the relegation zone on a dramatic last day of a dramatic season.

In the end, Wolves and Peterborough were the two teams that joined Bristol City in being relegated to League One, with Ipswich finishing 14th in the table – one place higher than the previous season.

And it’s that incredible achievement, the Blues having been rock-bottom with just seven points when McCarthy arrived last November, that the Town manager chose to reflect on post-match.

“We had a good first half, started really well and were the better team,” said McCarthy, who handed young duo Tyrone Mings and Jack Marriott their debuts. “Neither team had much edge though, they get a wonder strike – which took a deflection I believe – and that changed the course of the game.

“It looked that it would peter out until a 0-0 until (Junior) Stanislas smashed that one it (in the 60th minute).

“Listen, we had an objective to stay up and we achieved that last week. With the best will in the world it’s then hard work coming back in on a Monday or Tuesday and cracking on.

“We were probably worthy of a draw but, hey, it didn’t happen. Do you know what though I’m not that bothered about the game!

“It was just one of those days where it was relief all round and we could all enjoy it.

“I’m not happy we got beat, but there you go. It’s not going to bother me all through the summer though that game.”

With a young team finishing the match – the likes of Mings, Marriott, Elliott Hewitt, Luke Hyam, Tommy Smith and Anthony Wordsworth all on the field – McCarthy added: “I thought Tyrone (Mings) was excellent, I was pleased with him. I thought Jack (Marriott) did well when he came on too.

“Had we been needing something it wouldn’t have been that team. I think our fans will understand me playing the team I did. I needed to look at one or two and it gave me that opportunity. I’m just glad nothing was resting on it.”

He added: “I’ve just said to the players, in no way shape or form am I going to come in and criticise them today. They have been fabulous; they have been amazing to get out of it with 53 points since I arrived.

“I can’t knock them today. Once you’ve achieved that goal (of staying up) it’s a little bit hard to keep your foot to the floor. I’ve been really, really pleased. It’s a fair achievement tot end up where we’ve ended up.”

– See Monday’s EADT and Ipswich Star for match analysis, comment and more reaction.