Town boss eyeing up pre-season trip to Ireland with a number of other friendlies closer to home also being planned
 Mick McCarthy is looking to take his players to Ireland as part of Town’s pre-season campaign and has also hinted at friendlies much closer to home.
 The Blues boss is in the process of firming up the build-up to 2013/14, although he admits to being no fan of pre-season.
“I didn’t enjoy pre-season as a player and I don’t as a manager but it’s necessary,” Mick told the Club website.
 “In the past I’ve taken teams to Carton House in Kildare, Ireland and that has worked out really well. It’s a great venue with fantastic facilities so that’s something we are looking at.
“It’s not so much a tour because we’d play just the one game at the end of the week but it’s a chance for the players to work in a great environment and bond over the week, with any new players having the chance to settle in with the group. Â
“We’re also looking at playing the likes of Colchester and Southend, local clubs because we don’t want to be travelling three hours for a game. We need to have the time to prepare properly for a match and recover properly.”
