Memories of Ipswich Town’s recent pre-season tours in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Teddy Bishop in action at Shelbourne in 2016 (Image: Archant)

The Blues have also visited Northern Ireland in recent years, under former manager Jim Magilton, who was an established international in the 1990s and 2000s.

Since Mick McCarthy has been at Town, the Blues have almost always headed to his favoured Carton House Hotel for a week of preparation and the odd game or two against a local team.

Last year, goals from Freddie Sears and Brett Pitman gave Ipswich a 2-1 win against Shelbourne, who currently play in the League of Ireland First Division.

Infact Shelbourne have offered opposition for Town every year since 2013.

Luke Chambers and Brett Pitman celebrate the latter's strike against Shelbourne in 2016 (Image: Archant)

In 2015, Pitman scored twice, whilst Alex Henshall, Cole Skuse, Jay Tabb and Darren Ambrose also struck for Town in a routine 6-0 victory.

The year before, four players got their name on the scoresheet as the Blues won 4-0 – Darren McQueen, Paul Anderson, Jack Marriott and Tyrone Mings netting.

In 2013, meanwhile, Daryl Murphy scored both goals for Ipswich in a 2-0 win.

Back in 2009, a Connor Wickham goal wasn’t enough as a Blues team, managed by Roy Keane, lost 2-1 to Finn Harps, who play in County Donegal.

Josh Yorwerth is brought down in 2015

Later on during the tour, Town won 3-0 at Waterford, Kevin Lisbie and Owen Garvan (two) on the scoresheet, but lost 2-0 at Cork City.

In 2008, Northern Ireland side Cliftonville hosted the Blues but were no match as the visitors ran out 7-0 winners, thanks to Alan Quinn (two), Alan Lee, Danny Haynes, David Wright, Gary Roberts and Jaime Peters.

A trip to Donegal Celtic that same pre-season yielded a 4-1 win, Quinn again scoring twice and being joined on the scoresheet by Owen Garvan and an own goal, before Alan Lee, Gary Roberts and Pablo Counago were on target in a 3-1 win at Glentoran.

Eleven years ago, Nicky Forster and Sito gave Ipswich a 2-0 win at Galway.

Jonathan Parr tussles with Darragh Gannon of Shelbourne in 2015.

In 2001-02 meanwhile, Marcus Stewart and Richard Naylor scored in a 2-0 win for George Burley’s team at Bray Wanderers. That same summer, Jermaine Wright, Stewart and Naylor with a hat-trick handed Ipswich an easy 5-0 win against Dublin City.

Darren Ambrose scores in 2015.

Philip Reilly for Galway and Ipswich Town's Sam Parkin. Picture Hany Marzouk

Galway United's Alan Murphy for Galway and Ian Westlake. Picture Hany Marzouk ES 13 07 06

Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy finishes the session with some stretches of his own (Image: Archant)

Luke Chambers in action at Shelbourne (Image: Archant)

Roy Keane signs autographs for fans at Waterford. Mandatory Credit �INPHO/Donall Farmer Stephen Heaney Picture Desk Manager Inpho Photography 15a Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 [e] stephen@inpho.ie [t ] +353 1 7088082 direct [f ] +353 1 6610552

Roy Keane at Cork City in 2009. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Neil Danton ES 20.7.09 EADT 21.7.09

Irishman Damien Delaney on his debut for Ipswich. Finn Harps v Ipswich Town Pre-season friendly Picture Donna McBride EADT 8.7.09 ES 8.7.09

Finn Harps' Christy Connaghan is challanged by Owen Garvan of Ipswich. Photo: Donna McBride Finn Harps v Ipswich Town Pre-season friendly

Alan Quinn in action against Glentoran in 2008.

Alex Bruce celebrates a goal against Donegal Celtic. Photography Matt Mackey � PRESS EYE- Belfast PressEye.Com. (Image: Matt Mackey)

Ben Thatcher in action against Donegal. Photography Matt Mackey � PRESS EYE- Belfast PressEye.Com. 17/07/08. (Image: Matt Mackey)

Presseye.com. 14th July 2008. Picture by Jonathan Porter. Pre-season friendly between Cliftonville and Ipswich Town in Belfast. Cliftonville's Ronan Scannell and Ipswich Town's Jaime Peters ES 15/7/08 (Image: Jonathan Porter/Presseye.com)

Presseye.com. 14th July 2008. Picture by Jonathan Porter. Pre-season friendly between Cliftonville and Ipswich Town in Belfast. Ipswich Town's Danny Haynes (left) is congratulated after scoring. EADT 15/7/08 (Image: Jonathan Porter/Presseye.com)

Presseye.com. 14th July 2008. Picture by Jonathan Porter. Pre-season friendly between Cliftonville and Ipswich Town in Belfast. Ipswich Town's manager Jim Magilton EADT 15/7/08 (Image: Jonathan Porter/Presseye.com)

Presseye.com. 14th July 2008. Picture by Jonathan Porter. Pre-season friendly between Cliftonville and Ipswich Town in Belfast. Cliftonville's Ciaran Boyd and Ipswich Town's Owen Garvan ES 15/7/08 (Image: Jonathan Porter/Presseye.com)