McCarthy has high hopes for Doherty

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy hopes new signing Jack Doherty will follow in the footsteps of another player he signed from Waterford United — Daryl Murphy.

Doherty joined Murphy — who McCarthy took to Sunderland from Waterford in 2005 — in the ex-Ireland boss’s Tractor Boys squad this week, having put pen to paper on a two-year deal after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of €60,000 plus appearance-based add-ons.

The 18-year-old impressed his new manager while on trial during Ipswich’s training camp at Carton House this month.

“There’s real potential in him,” McCarthy said. “He’s about the size of (diminutive Town midfielder) Jay Tabb, he needs to put a bit of weight on, but he’s a nice left-footed player.

“He came and trained with us for two days in Ireland and he wasn’t embarrassed by being with us, in fact he kind of stood out. It’s a nice little punt with him really and I think he’s got a real chance.”

McCarthy, who has Waterford connections, hopes Doherty will emulate one of his new team-mates at Portman Road.

“My Dad was from Waterford, but I’m not trying to keep my old fella’s club going or anything like that because he was a hurling player. Murph came from there and he’s had a good career. If Jack gets anywhere near as good as Murph’s done, then we’ll be delighted.”

Doherty has been described as an out-and-out winger, but McCarthy believes that’s not the extent of his talents: “I think he’s got more than that. Wingers, lots of them, come and play on the inside. I think he’s just got a nice bit of awareness. I’m looking forward to seeing him with us.”