Town have signed Republic of Ireland U19 international midfielder Conor Hourihane from Sunderland. The 19-year-old turned down a deal at the Stadium of Light and penned a one-year contract at Portman Road this afternoon.

Born in Cork, Hourihane, who was linked with a loan move to the Blues last summer, will be well known to Keane and assistant Tony Loughlan from their time with the Black Cats.

A Republic of Ireland U19 team-mate of Town's Ronan Murray, Hourihane, who has also won caps at U17 level, plays all across the midfield, usually centrally for the Irish side, and can also operate behind the main striker.

While with Sunderland, Roy Keane gave the 5ft 9in tall youngster first team experience in pre-season friendlies, but he is yet to play a competitive senior game.

Town will have to pay Sunderland compensation for Hourihane, who says he felt his chances would be limited on Wearside: "I was offered a new contract at Sunderland but there are a lot of players up there and when I found out about Ipswich's interest, I felt it was the right move for me.

"I know the manager from Sunderland and a few of the lads from Ireland. I have played with Ronan Murray in the U19 team and I've known Shane O'Connor for a long while.

"When I see what Shane has achieved after being given a chance here, that's what I've got to aim for.

"I'm grateful for the chance Ipswich have given me and the manager has told me that I've got to get my head down and work hard and see what develops from there.”

Town's first signing of the summer will not be involved in either the first team game at PSV or the reserve match at Great Yarmouth tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Town have been linked with a move for ex-Republic of Ireland full-back Steve Finnan. The 34-year-old former Welling, Birmingham, Notts County, Fulham, Liverpool and Espanyol man is out of contract having left Portsmouth at the end of the season.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

PablosRightBoot added 17:11 - Jul 16 Conor, Connor and O' Connor. What odds of all of them on the pitch at the same time?
0

jas0999 added 17:13 - Jul 16 Even the 100% negative boys will be hard pressed to be totally negative about this. A promising young player, well know by the coaching staff and relatively cheap (presumably we will have to pay compensation). Good business.
0

Back_The_Boss added 17:16 - Jul 16 Good Luck Conor, you could just be the one we need.
0

cphtractor added 17:17 - Jul 16 Good luck Conor.
0

Dolly2.0 added 17:21 - Jul 16 I'm not a whinger but it IS kinda funny that it's Sunderland AND Irish again. Keane's not doing anything for his 'only has contacts in Sunderland/Ireland' tag. Do we employ any scouts at all?
0

Mark added 17:23 - Jul 16 Yes - a signing!!! What a relief. A young lad too on a permanent basis, which is promising. He could be a Jack Colback or he could be a Devan Yao, we'll have to wait and see. It's good to have someone else on board.
0

robdaful added 17:26 - Jul 16 Wow our first signing, now that will stop the moaners. Its also nice to see that we haven't taken all the Sunderland (deadwood) players. But at the end of the Day I don't care what coutry they are from or what club they have come from. They are getting their chance and hopefully connor can be another star of the future.
0

blues1 added 17:27 - Jul 16 im not gonna b negative abt him being signed, hope he does well. but if ne1 thinks this guy was signed 2day, think again. my m8 whos a taxi driver picked him up frm station & took him 2 training ground 3 weeks ago, & the lad told him hed been signed then. this has been announced now merely 2 appease the fans who r unhappy at the lack of signings so far. while i wish him luck, he hardly the kind of signing we luking 4 or require at this time

0

bedsitfc added 17:27 - Jul 16 dolly - keane has always said he would try to sign players he knows because he didnt want to waste money here like he did at sunderland and with M.E saying we need to cut the wage bill keane has to be even more fussy about who he brings in. and for that reason i think he will try to sign chops over the cheaper hooper
0

tom_the_blue added 17:30 - Jul 16 I'm very pleased with this. Our first signing, and hopefully first of many! He must be decent if he was offered a new contract at Sunderland, and with him being young this is a no-lose situation, as he is probably on low wages. Now lets get a striker, 2 full-backs and we're sorted!
0

gloucester_tractor added 17:35 - Jul 16 THIS is the only way forward get in the younger stars of the future and work with them, yes its long term thinking but better young reserve side then loads of hangers on
0

SiBo added 17:41 - Jul 16 I agree, better a young hungry reserve side than hangers on and hopefully a few that will push for a first team place like Shane O'Connor did last season.
0

naaridge1coly7 added 18:14 - Jul 16 gasp shock horror irish and sunderland......
0

ChambersM added 18:17 - Jul 16 it does get annoying that he only seems to be able to buy ex sunderlaned/irish players but the kid looks alrite, wont exactly comeplete our team tho, not by a long shot. Where will he play anyway? Wing? Centre?
0

SunderlandFan added 18:33 - Jul 16 As a Sunderland fan I can honestly say I am disappointed that this lad has gone. He is an up and coming talent and was nominated for under 17 European player a few years back. He should be able to fill Colbacks boots for ya's. I have no doubt it was Roy Keane who persuaded him as he is from Cork. Lucky escape with Murphy though, we have wanted shot of him for the last 2 seasons!

0

jesus added 18:40 - Jul 16 1st: stop moaning about phantom moaners - i don't see any moaners here except you lot and it makes us all look a bit silly when you're the only ones moaning. i don't want to hear about it! 2nd, good luck to you boy! i hope you succeed, for obvious reasons. sunderland wanted him and he chose ipswich. yay!
0

Dalty added 18:42 - Jul 16 @Crock - What's with the negativity and being so derogatory to fellow town fans? Colback arrived last season at a similar age and without having played for Sunderland and seemed to do alright. Also, players mature at different ages. Van Nistelrooy looked nothing special until he was 21/22 while Bowditch looked to have the world at his feet at 17 and we know what happened next in both cases. No-one was saying he was definitely going to be brilliant, hoping he may be good is not brainless in the slightest. As has been mentioned by others on here, the fact Sunderland wanted to keep him shows he can't be too bad a prospect.

0

osborne1nil added 19:05 - Jul 16 Interesting that the supposed non whingers are whinging in advance about whingers when there are no wingers! Yes Irish again, Sunderland again.... irrelevant (other than showing a lack of Keanes scouting abilities). The most important thing is whether he is any good or not. Sunderland must think so to offer him another contract so we shall have to wait and see. If he is playing in midfield then I am not sure who he is coming in to replace - Garvan? Martin? or Colback from last seasons loan? This is at least a start and can only hope that some of the more obvious areas on the park that are not well covered at present is where RK is trying to focus. Good luck Conor.

0

osborne1nil added 19:08 - Jul 16 That was supposed to read no whingers but lol there are a lack of wingers too (or decent ones anyway)!
0

16_Jack_ken_16 added 19:23 - Jul 16 good luck but your not what im looking for
0

naa added 19:29 - Jul 16 I've nothing against us signing promising youngsters, so good luck to him, However, despite people calling it 'moaning' the Irish and Sunderland connections can hardly be ignored can they? Where's the scouting network? Come on! I'll reserve judgement until end of the transfer window, but it's hardly promising is it?
0

colonel added 19:29 - Jul 16 With Black Cats & fans seemingly v sad to see him go...... am optimistic. Sounds like natural ability is there, so if its matched with desire, hard work & quality nuturing he'll get his chance at our club. He knows a few of the lads and others his age are playing first team so let's hope he settles in quickly. We at PR need to do our bit by supporting the youngsters in particular otherwise we could destroy confidence. Good luck Conor welcome aboard..... FON COYB

0

brogansnose added 19:36 - Jul 16 Can't wait; O'Connor to Connor who passes to Connor and its in the back of the net. Oh what drama at Carrot Road! What do you thing of that Kevin? Well i err, eer, agree with you.The a lads tremendous find.
0

SurreyITFC added 19:38 - Jul 16 Welcome Conor! Look forward to seeing you in a Town shirt next season COYB - Keano Keano Keano
0

devontractorboy added 19:47 - Jul 16 Good signing, don't mind he's ex Sunderland or Irish, perhaps we should change our name to Ipswich Rovers..........Mmmmm maybe not!! Now get Chopra and Finnan and we'll be in business. Come on you blues!!!!!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls