Big Mick’s Ipswich frustrated

Mick McCarthy’s hopes of becoming Ireland manager may be fading and he was fully focused on his current side Ipswich last night.

The Tractor Boys — who Roy Keane managed before McCarthy — drew 1-1 at home to Barnsley.

Waterford’s Daryl Murphy had delighted the Portman Road faithful with his fourth of the season on 41 minutes but Jim O’Brien equalised on 70 minutes for Barnsley.

Meanwhile in Spain, Gerardo Martino ensured he completed his first 100 days as Barcelona coach without defeat, albeit thanks to a subdued 1-0 win over Espanyol at the Nou Camp.

Barca had to wait until the 68th minute to break down their city rivals when Alexis Sanchez was left with a simple tap-in after clever work from Neymar.

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund moved to the top of the Bundesliga last night thanks to a Robert Lewandowski-inspired 6-1 win over Stuttgart.

The Pole scored a hat-trick as Dortmund celebrated coach Jurgen Klopp’s commitment to a new two-year contract deal in emphatic style.

IPSWICH: Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson (Tabb 69), Hyam, Skuse, Tunnicliffe (Taylor 82), McGoldrick (Nouble 82), Murphy.

BARNSLEY: Butland, Wiseman, Mvoto, Cranie, Kennedy, McCourt (Etuhu 81), Fox, Perkins, Mellis (O’Brien 43), O’Grady, Pedersen (Scotland 74).

Referee: Andy D’Urso (Essex).