Sunday 28 August 2016 09:03, UK
Mick McCarthy has pledged to reinvest the money from the sale of Daryl Murphy to Newcastle after his top striker handed in a transfer request ahead of Ipswich's 1-0 win over Preston.
The Republic of Ireland international made all the pre-match headlines, with McCarthy confirming post-match that he will be joining Town's Championship rivals for a reported fee of £3million.
But there was still plenty to cheer after Grant Ward's super strike in the 16th minute proved the difference in a hard-fought encounter at Portman Road.
McCarthy said: "I thought we were excellent today. We played really well in the first half and then we stood up to a right scrap in the second half - it was a real bloke's performance.
"Preston were competitive as well but it was a really good performance."
Of Murphy's departure and ahead of the transfer window closing on Wednesday, McCarthy added: "He put in a transfer request and my view is you don't stand in the way of someone who wants to leave.
"It is great move for him and he has been terrific for us so I wish him well. It is a great bit of business for the club and we will reinvest and get other players in."
A bright opening to the match saw Ward break the deadlock with his fourth of the season, taking down a half-cleared free-kick and then finding the bottom corner from 20 yards with a brilliantly-executed half-volley.
Preston hit back and Callum Robinson was denied by a brilliant save from Bartosz Bialkowski before again being thwarted by the Town keeper when his shot lacked power.
The second half was a dour affair with chances at a premium. A fine run by Chris Humphrey was blocked by a goal-saving tackle by Christophe Berra before Grant spurned two great chances, firing over when in space and then failing to find a way past Anders Lindegaard when clean through.
Preston boss Simon Grayson said: "I am disappointed as you know when you come to Portman Road and play against a Mick McCarthy side, you have to compete and battle.
"We lost too many individual battles and not enough players played to the standard that I know they are capable of.
"There was not a great deal in the game but we didn't do enough, on or off the ball, to get anything out of it."
Ahead of the transfer window closing, Grayson said: "I am hoping to strengthen. I have given a list of names to the owner and I am hoping to tick some people off.
"It is going to be a crazy three or four days through all the divisions."
